Sierra Leone Embassy Plans Successful 2009 ‘HAJJ’

The Sierra Leone Embassy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has called on all its nationals to work collaboratively in making this year’s Hajj become successful for Sierra Leonean Pilgrims. (Photo: Ambassador Munu)

The clarion call was made at a well attended meeting at the Chancery Building on Friday, 30 October, 2009 to strategize the running of this year’s Hajj.

The meeting which was chaired by Ambassador, H.E. Wusu B. Munu and assisted by his Minister Counsellor/Head of Chancery, Mr. Ibrahim S. Yilla made a passionate appeal to all Sierra Leoneans in the Kingdom to respond to the call of any Sierra Leonean Pilgrim as and when necessary.

The meeting identified various areas connected with the Hajj that need to be addressed in collaboration with the Hajj Agents  before the pilgrimage, namely: – Transportation, ‘Tawaaf’, Servicing of Pilgrims, Care Takers of Tents at Mina, Stoning of the Devil at ‘Jamaraat’, ‘Dawaah’ Activities, Feeding and Medical Services for Pilgrims as required by the Saudi Hajj Ministry.

The meeting set up various committees for each of the areas identified and how each could be addressed.

The Ambassador and his Head of Chancery also appealed to the various Chairmen and Committee members appointed, to work collaboratively to execute the various functions of their committees.

Ambassador Munu also admonished his nationals to work in the interest of their country and avoid the re-occurence of previous Hajj programmes, which to some extent, were “poorly executed.”

“That’s why my administration has decided to convene this strategic meeting and to form pertinent committees that will supplement the activities of the Hajj Agents back home in ensuring that these important activities are carried out in the best interest of the Pilgrims and the country,” the Ambassador told his audience.

Responding, the Chairman of the ‘Dawaah’ Committee, Alhaji Sheik Mohamed Bailah Bah, whose group is responsible for educating Pilgrims on religious rites expressed satisfaction at the initiative of the Embassy to convene such a meeting which he described as “Strategic and Important” for this year’s Hajj.

He assured the Embassy that, his group would enlighten the Pilgrims about the basic Hajj rites from their day of arrival to the day of their departure; urging Sierra Leonean students in the Kingdom to work cooperatively with his group in the interest of their country.

His views were echoed by the President of the Sierra Leone National Union, Alhaji Ibrahim Koidowi and other members of the Union.

Meanwhile, local tabloid reports say, more than 3,500 foreign pilgrims on 20 flights have so far arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah.

According to statistics available with the Saudi Hajj Ministry, about 2,000,000 Pilgrims from 85 countries converge on Makkah – the holiest place in Islam – every year, to take part in an event which combines piety and passion.

Reports from Freetown say, over 500 Sierra Leonean Pilgrims are expected to arrive in the next couple of days. Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, which able-bodied Muslims must perform at least once in their life time, if they can afford it.

Alhaji M.B. Jalloh, Information Attach̩/ Public Affairs Unit, Sierra Leone Embassy, Riyadh РKingdom of Saudi Arabia

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