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The second batch of 267 home-based Sierra Leonean Hajj pilgrims landed safely at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah on Saturday afternoon, 16 May 2026, joining the first batch that arrived on Friday.
The pilgrims have been accommodated in hotels close to Masjid Al-Nabawi, the Prophet’s Mosque, making it easier for those wishing to offer their five daily prayers at the Masjid to do so.
Embassy staff in Saudi Arabia, together with the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj advance team, gave the pilgrims a colourful welcome at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, similar to the reception accorded the first batch on Friday. The welcome featured fresh Madinah dates and the traditional Islamic song _Tala‘a al-Badru ‘Alayna_, sung to welcome Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) upon his migration to Madinah.
Deputy Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Saudi Arabia, Amb. Alhaji Abdul Aziz Turay, said the smooth travel of the first and second batches from Freetown without obstacles is commendable. He noted that it resulted from the favour and guidance of Allah and the good leadership, proper coordination, and management of Hajj affairs.
The Deputy Ambassador thanked His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, and the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj for the successful arrangements. He said pilgrims did not strand at Freetown International Airport or face major difficulties, as had occurred in previous years.
He wished the pilgrims a successful Hajj and urged them to pray for Sierra Leone, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, and the Government during their Hajj and Umrah rituals in Makkah.
Some pilgrims who spoke to this writer during a live video via Facebook commended His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, and the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj for “making their Hajj journey a smooth ride.”
The pilgrims are expected to spend two days in Madinah for Ziyarah before traveling by bus to Makkah for Umrah and the Hajj rites, which commence on Monday, 25th May 2026 (8th Dhul-Hijjah 1447).
A total of 2,626 Sierra Leonean pilgrims are expected to perform this year’s Hajj: 826 home-based pilgrims traveling from Sierra Leone and 1,800 from the diaspora. Pilgrims from the USA, UK, Canada, Europe, and Australia will arrive in Madinah in different batches under the Sierra Leone contingent.
