It is reported that there will be no government Hajj Scholarship for Sierra Leonean Muslims this year.

This is according to an unconfirmed reports published by Global Times.

“Sources close to the Ministry of Social Welfare say that they are keeping an open mind on the issue. They refused to confirm or deny the reports,” Global Times reported.

“President Julius Maada Bio, according to State House sources, is in direct contact with his Qatari, Moroccan and UAE counterparts trying to solicit support for Muslims intending to perform this year’s Hajj on government scholarship.”

Hajj is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world and is considered a religious duty that must be completed during the life of every healthy and affordable Muslim.

For this year’s Haj, one million worshipers will participate after it was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the past two years. In 2019, about 2.5 million pilgrims participated.

The first batch of fully paid up intending Pilgrims is expected to leave the Lungi International Airport for Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between the 26th June and 1st July, 2022.