Freetown, May 30, 2025 — The first group of 300 home-based Sierra Leonean pilgrims has arrived safely in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, marking the beginning of this year’s Hajj journey. Among the arrivals was Alhaji Murtada Sesay, Chairman of the Presidential Hajj Taskforce.
The delegation received a warm welcome at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport from Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mohammed S. Barrie, and Deputy Ambassador Abdul Aziz Turay.
The pilgrims have been accommodated at Sedrtul Madimah Hotel, located close to Masjid Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque), where they will engage in daily prayers and visit key Islamic historical sites, including the Prophet Muhammad’s tomb, before proceeding to Makkah for the main Hajj rituals.
In a related development, an additional 100 pilgrims—beneficiaries of the Saudi Royal Hajj Scholarship—are scheduled to depart Freetown today. They will arrive at King Abdulaziz International Airport Hajj Terminal after an approximately eight-hour flight.
Sierra Leone’s total Hajj contingent this year is expected to reach 2,000 pilgrims, drawn from both home and the diaspora. The 2025 Hajj will take place from June 4 to 9 (8th to 12th Dhul-Hijjah 1446H).
By Francess Kamara
