The second batch of 266 Sierra Leonean home-based Hajj pilgrims arrived safely at the Freetown International Airport in Lungi at 7:11 a.m. Sierra Leone time on Monday, June 8, 2026, following the successful completion of the 1447H/2026 Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The pilgrims departed the Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET8523 at 2:11 a.m. Saudi Arabia time on Monday.

Speaking during a Facebook Live interview before departure, several pilgrims expressed gratitude to Allah for enabling them to complete the pilgrimage successfully.

They also commended the Government of Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Embassy in Saudi Arabia, and the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj for what they described as a smooth and well-coordinated Hajj process.

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One of the returning pilgrims, Haja Adama Baimba, said the pilgrimage was conducted smoothly and that pilgrims were provided with good accommodation and regular meals throughout their stay.

“The Hajj was very smooth and successful. Hospitality was excellent, accommodation was good and we ate three times a day. I thank the Government of Sierra Leone for everything towards a successful Hajj this year,” she said.

Another pilgrim, Alhaji Ansumana Turay, said the arrangements made for pilgrims contributed significantly to the success of the exercise. “Alhamdulillah, everything went perfectly well. They took good care of us during the entire Hajj,” he stated.

Haja Kadiatu Conteh also praised the welfare arrangements provided to pilgrims during their stay in Saudi Arabia.

“We ate three times a day – breakfast, lunch and dinner — and accommodation was excellent, Alhamdulillah. We thank the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj and the Government of Sierra Leone for a successful Hajj,” she said.

Among the returning pilgrims was the Chief Whip of Parliament, Hon. Alhaji Dixon Rogers, who described the pilgrimage as a deeply spiritual experience that strengthened his faith.

“Standing at Mount Arafat as a Muslim has uplifted my faith and reformed my life. For me, Hajj is a rebirth. It has made me reflect on my life and renew my faith in Allah, and refrain from my previous mistakes as a Muslim,” Rogers said.

He further expressed appreciation to Allah for a successful pilgrimage and commended the efforts of the Hajj Taskforce, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Barrie, and embassy staff for their support throughout the pilgrimage.

“I prayed for my country and the leadership of His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio,” he added.

Sierra Leone’s Deputy Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Abdul Aziz Turay, also welcomed the successful return of the pilgrims and congratulated them on completing one of Islam’s most important religious obligations.

He thanked President Julius Maada Bio and Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for their continued support to the Hajj programme, noting that significant reforms had been introduced since the current administration assumed office in 2018.

According to Ambassador Turay, the reforms have improved the overall management of Hajj operations and reduced travel-related challenges previously experienced by some pilgrims.

“Since the SLPP government came to power in 2018, the Hajj process has been reformed, thanks to His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio’s leadership. His able Vice President has been phenomenal in supporting the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj for consistently successful Hajjs over the past eight years,” he said.

He added that pilgrims now experience smoother travel arrangements and no longer face lengthy delays at airports after completing the pilgrimage.

Meanwhile, Minister-Counsellor and Head of Chancery at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Ahmed Tejan Kabba, commended embassy staff for their teamwork and support to the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj.

“Supporting the Hajj Taskforce is demanding, but the coordination by staff under the leadership of the mission has been commendable and I feel humbled to be part of the process,” Kabba said.

The final batch of Sierra Leonean home-based Hajj pilgrims is scheduled to depart Jeddah for Freetown on June 9, 2026, bringing to a close Sierra Leone’s 2026 Hajj return operations.