Madinah, Tuesday, 19th May 2026 – The third and final batch of 265 home-based Sierra Leonean Hajj pilgrims is in Madinah, the second holiest city of Islam, preparing to perform Ziyarah, visits to Islam’s historical sites, on Wednesday, 20th May 2026.

The pilgrims landed safely at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah on Monday at 11:15 p.m. KSA time. The leadership of the Embassy was in full attendance to receive the first, second, and third batches of pilgrims from 15th to 18th May 2026. On the first day, His Excellency Ambassador Mohammed Barrie led the team; on 16th May, Deputy Ambassador Alhaji Abdul Aziz Turay received the pilgrims; and on 18th May 2026, both the Ambassador and his Deputy, alongside Embassy staff and personnel of the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj, Sierra Leone, were present to warmly welcome the final batch.

During a live Facebook stream interview with some of the pilgrims, they described their journey from Lungi to Madinah as smooth and steady. They praised Allah for travelling mercies and commended His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, and the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj for the leadership and flight arrangements that ensured ease of travel to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.

“Alhamdulillah, the flight was smooth. The organization, including baggage arrangements and travel from Freetown to Lungi to board the flight, was well arranged and structured, and we had a smooth flight to Madinah. So far, this is the best Hajj,” said Ibrahim Bah.

Abu Ansumana Conteh, Chairman of the Allied Health Professional Council, Sierra Leone, described the journey as “fantastic.” Mr. Conteh said he was very impressed with the trip and commended the Government of Sierra Leone for making their journey to the Holy Land smooth and steady.

Another pilgrim, Haja Kadie George, also applauded the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj for making their journey a very peaceful one.

The first batch of 267 home-based pilgrims who arrived in Madinah on Friday, 15th May 2026, has safely arrived in Makkah to perform Umrah. The second batch of 267 pilgrims from Freetown, which landed on Saturday, 16th May 2026, is expected to travel to Makkah by bus today, Tuesday, 19th May 2026, for Umrah and subsequently 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: about 826 home-based pilgrims who departed Freetown from 15th to 18th May 2026, and 1,800 diaspora pilgrims from the USA, UK, Canada, Europe, Australia, and some African countries flying into Madinah in different batches under the Sierra Leone contingent.

By Alhaji Abubakarr Bah
Information Attaché, Embassy of Sierra Leone, Saudi Arabia
Email: [email protected]