The first batch of 150 Sierra Leonean diaspora Hajj pilgrims has safely arrived in Madinah for the 1447/2026 Hajj.

A total of 2,626 Sierra Leonean pilgrims are expected to perform this year’s Hajj. Of that number, 826 are home-based pilgrims traveling from Sierra Leone, while 1,800 are Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora flying to Madinah in different batches under the Sierra Leone contingent.

The Sierra Leone Presidential Taskforce on Hajj has deployed an advance team of five personnel, including medical staff, who arrived in Madinah on Friday to receive the pilgrims and facilitate their lodging.

The 826 pilgrims from Sierra Leone will fly to Madinah in three batches via Ethiopian Airlines: the first batch departs Freetown International Airport in Lungi on 15th May 2026, the second on 16th May, and the third and final batch on 18th May 2026.