Zainab Bangura, Ambassador Dauda Kamara, ohers, in Mecca perform Hajj
The last batch of Sierra Leonean Pilgrims led by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Honourable Zainab Hawa Bangura arrived at the King Abdul Aziz International Airport, Jeddah Friday, 20th November, 2009 to perform this year’s “Hajj”. (Photo: L-R- Hon. Jeneh Kandeh, Press Attache, Alhaji Jalloh, and Hon. Zainab Hawa Bangura)
The delegation which included, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Local Government and Rural Development, Ambassador Dauda Sulaiman Kamara, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Honourable Jenneh Kandeh and eight others are special guests of the Saudi Royal Protocol Department.
The Ministers being received by the Embassy at the airport
Led by the Royal Protocol, the delegation was warmly received by the Ambassador, H.E. Wusu B. Munu, Minister Counsellor/Head of Chancery, Mr. Ibrahim S. Yilla, other Diplomatic and Local Staff of the Sierra Leone Embassy and a good number of prominent Sierra Leoneans resident in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including, the Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa and BADEA Scheme of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation in Jeddah, Nabie Musa Turay.
Hon Zainab Bangura entering the bus surrounded by Royal Protocol security guards
The Honourable Foreign Minister and delegation were later driven in a motorcade to the Jeddah Conference Palace where they are currently lodged.
Hon Jeneh Kandeh and Hon Zainab Bangura inside the Conference Palace
Shortly before their departure from the Airport’s VIP Lounge, the Ministers described the invitation by the Saudi Royal Protocol Department as “a good gesture which shows the desire of the Saudi authorities to strengthen the long standing bilateral relations between the two countries and to promote the spirit of the Muslim UMMAH.”
Hon Zainab Bangura, Ambassador Munu, and Hon Jeneh Kandeh
Last year, Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Sidique Sam Sumana also led a Ten-Man Delegation as a Special Guest of the Royal Protocol. The delegation was accommodated at different Conference Palaces in Jeddah, Mecca, and Mina throughout the Hajj period. Â
It could be recalled that the Information Bureau of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Riyadh had reported the arrival of 515 Sierra Leonean Pilgrims as at last week. This latest arrival of the Honourable Foreign Minister and delegation brings the total number of Sierra Leonean pilgrims to 526.
In another development, the Royal Protocol Sunday November 22, 2009 airlifted the Minister and delegation to the Holy City of Medinah to perform some basic Hajj Rites, including visiting of the Holy Prophet’s Mosque, “Al-Masjid Annabawy” where he and his closed allies, Abubakar Sidiq and Umar were laid to rest.
(Watch out soon for One-on-One Interview with the Three Ministers)
By Alhaji Jalloh, Information Attaché, Sierra Leone Embassy, Saudi ArabiaStay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2009, https:. All rights reserved.
