Hi Ebrima,
               This is very sad indeed. Not only are these pilgrims stranded
in Mecca but one must also have at the back of your mind that they are
finding it very tough out there. From previous years,I have been made to
learn that, as soon as the hajj is over, they are asked out of their hotels
and even out of the city. So whether their flights are around and ready or
not, they stay at the airport struggling for food and even sleep .Most of
them usually run out of cash and to send money for them is just impossible.
I really feel it for them and their families. Let's just pray for their safe
return home.

Maikabir.



----- Original Message -----
From: "Ebrima Ceesay" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2003 4:38 PM
Subject: Re: The Plight of the Hajj 2003 Pilgrims


> Readers:
>
> The unedited e-mail below came from a source in The Gambia.
>
> Ebrima
>
> _____________________________________________________________________
>
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: The Plight of the Hajj 2003 Pilgrims
> >Date: Mon, 03 Mar 2003
> >
> >Hi Coach,
> >
> >I have just read the piece by Saul Khan regarding the plight of this
year's
> >pilgrims, as was the case of the three previous years.
> >We, on the ground commend, Saul Khan for his efforts in finding out about
> >the real problems facing the pilgrims who are now stranded in Saudi
Arabia
> >with very little hope of getting back home anytime soon.  Thus far, only
> >two flights have returned and the nightmarish stories that these
> >unfortunate pilgrims tell are unbelieveable.  Thanks to Yahya Jammeh.
But
> >we must take part of the blame as the sponsors of these prigrims.
> >
> >I had warned last year and even early on this year, that we should
refrain
> >from sending our loved ones through these Jammeh criminal syndicate made
up
> >of Baba Jobe, Amadou Samba, Tarik Musa, Yankuba Touray and Famara Jatta.
> >Of course with Yahya Jammeh presiding over the Gang of Six.  They are
> >responsibible for the plight of the majority of this year's pilgrims (two
> >out of five flights) still stranded in Saudi Arabia without a single
penny
> >to their name and no one to take responsibility for their plight.  That's
> >how irresponsible Jammeh and his Government are.
> >
> >We join Saul Khan in appealing to all, especially Diasporans who have
> >relatives, friends and acquiantants in the unfortunate majority still
> >stranded in Saudi Arabia to make every effort to repatriate them before
the
> >start of a war on Iraq which seems inevitable at this stage.
> >
> >Meanwhile, let us assure all that these atrocities, yes atrocities,
> >committeed by the Gang of Six are carefully being documented for the day
> >when they will be called upon to answer to them.  Jammeh and his Crimical
> >syndicate MUST and WILL GO.
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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