By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
A total of 2,100 Sierra Leonean pilgrims, including 100 beneficiaries of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guest Program, have safely returned to Makkah to participate in the final phase of Hajj after successfully completing the essential rituals at Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina.
The pilgrims arrived in Makkah on Sunday afternoon, marking an important milestone in their spiritual journey. They were joined at Mount Arafat on June 5 by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mohammed S. Barrie, and Deputy Ambassador Alhaji Abdul Aziz Turay, who led special prayers for the government and people of Sierra Leone. This gathering underscored the unity and faith of the Sierra Leonean community during one of the holiest times in the Islamic calendar.
In Makkah, the pilgrims will perform the “Tawaf al-Ifadha,” a key ritual involving circling the Kaaba seven times, followed by two rakats of prayer at Maqam Ibrahim. This ritual, along with the Sa’I walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah serves as a powerful reminder of the trials faced by Hajer, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, in her search for water for her son, Prophet Ismail (AS). These rituals emphasize core Islamic values such as patience, hope, and unwavering faith in Allah.
Upon completing the Sa’i, the pilgrims will have fulfilled the four main pillars of Hajj. The 100 guests from the Custodian’s program are scheduled to visit Madinah on June 9 for “Ziyarah” after performing the Farewell Tawaf (Tawaf al-Wada), a significant ritual bidding farewell to the holy city.
In preparation for the sacrificial rites, the Presidential Hajj Taskforce announced that 2,000 rams will be sacrificed on June 9 as part of the “Tamattu” pilgrimage. Dr. Alhaji Chernor Ibrahim Bah, a member of the task force, clarified that this sacrifice is obligatory for pilgrims who performed Umrah before Hajj. The scholarship program covers sacrificial costs for the Royal scholarship beneficiaries.
The 100 beneficiaries will return to Freetown on June 12 via Saudi Airlines, while the home-based pilgrims will depart from Jeddah in two batches on June 24 and 25. Pilgrims from the diaspora will leave for their respective destinations starting June 11.
This year, a total of 1,673,230 pilgrims from around the world are undertaking Hajj, with 877,841 male and 795,389 female pilgrims, according to official reports. Saudi authorities have confirmed that the movement of pilgrims to Arafat went smoothly, thanks to effective operational planning.
Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, remains a vital religious obligation for Muslims, reflecting their faith and dedication as they fulfill this sacred journey from June 4 to June 9.