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The final group of Sierra Leonean pilgrims traveling from home for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage has successfully arrived in the holy city of Madinah, marking the completion of the country’s outbound pilgrimage operations for this year.
The latest batch, comprising 265 pilgrims, landed at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport late Monday evening and joined earlier groups already in Saudi Arabia ahead of the commencement of Hajj rites later this month.
Officials from the Sierra Leone Embassy in Saudi Arabia, together with members of the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj, welcomed the pilgrims upon arrival. The reception team throughout the different arrivals was led by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Barrie, Deputy Ambassador Alhaji Abdul Aziz Turay, Embassy staff, and Taskforce personnel.
Following their arrival in Madinah, the pilgrims are expected to participate in Ziyarah guided visits to important Islamic historical and religious sites in the city — before continuing their spiritual journey to Makkah.
Several pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made for the trip, describing the journey from Sierra Leone to Saudi Arabia as peaceful and properly coordinated. They highlighted the organization of transportation, luggage handling, and airport procedures from Freetown through Lungi International Airport to Madinah.
Pilgrim Ibrahim Bah said the overall coordination of this year’s exercise had been impressive, noting that the movement of pilgrims and travel logistics were carried out smoothly from departure to arrival.
Abu Ansumana Conteh, Chairman of the Allied Health Professional Council of Sierra Leone, also praised the arrangements, describing the experience as successful and well managed.
Another pilgrim, Haja Kadie George, commended the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj for ensuring a calm and comfortable journey for Sierra Leonean pilgrims traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the first batch of 267 pilgrims that arrived in Madinah on 15 May has already proceeded to Makkah to undertake Umrah, while the second batch is scheduled to travel by road to Makkah to continue preparations for the main Hajj rites expected to begin on 25 May 2026, corresponding with the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah 1447.
Authorities disclosed that Sierra Leone’s contingent for this year’s pilgrimage is expected to total 2,626 pilgrims. Of that number, approximately 826 pilgrims traveled directly from Sierra Leone, while an estimated 1,800 Sierra Leoneans living abroad including those from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, Australia, and other African countries are expected to join the national contingent in Saudi Arabia in separate groups.
