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Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, H. E. Mohammed S. Barrie, has formally requested an increase in Hajj Royal scholarships from 100 to 500 for the upcoming 1447/2026 Hajj season.
The appeal was made during a courtesy visit to Dr. Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) on July 15, 2025.
Ambassador Barrie conveyed warm greetings from President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the government, and the people of Sierra Leone. He expressed gratitude for KSRelief’s ongoing support in various humanitarian initiatives, including school feeding programs and health and nutrition projects.
During the meeting, Ambassador Barrie asserted President Bio’s Big Five Game Changers, which aim to foster economic growth and development in Sierra Leone.
Those initiatives notably focus on key areas such as food security, human capital development, youth empowerment, public service reform, and the enhancement of technology and infrastructure.
The Ambassador emphasized Sierra Leone’s potential as a peaceful and friendly nation, rich in natural resources and arable land, which is open to trade and investment opportunities.
He also discussed the forthcoming state visit of President Bio to Saudi Arabia and the potential support from KSRelief for the Fatima Maada Bio Foundation’s ambitious 600-bed hospital project at the 34 Military Hospital in Freetown.
In response to the Ambassador’s requests, Dr. Al Rabeeah advised him to submit a priority list to Engineer Ahmed A. Al Baiz, Assistant Supervisor General of Operations and Programs, within two weeks for further consideration.
Ambassador Barrie thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for the existing scholarship support and expressed hope for an increase to accommodate more pilgrims during the next Hajj season.
