By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
The chairman of the Presidential Task Force Alhaji Mutali Sesay and the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Mohamed Haji Keller updated the press on the 18th May 2023 at the Ministry of Information and Communication conference room about key activities that they have undertaken in the pilgrimage sector since 2018 to date.
He said the 2023 pilgrims will depart Sierra Leone for Saudi Arabia on the 17,18th or 19th of June and are expected to return the earlier second week of July 2023. However, he furthered that they had a fruitful arrangement with Electoral Commission Sierra Leone (ECSL) for the pilgrims to cast their vote prior to the June 24th multi-tier general election. He added that only pilgrims who have visas would be allowed to vote before departing Sierra Leone
He asserted that the for the 2023 Hajj Pilgrimage cost is $6,700 per pilgrim and they have got 640 pilgrims which surmount 65% of the total 1,200 spaces, he furthered that the stipulated date for all payments to be made is on the 25th May 2023 to avoid uncertainty. We have got chief medical officers; two doctors, two nurses and one pharmacist for the pilgrims.
He strongly advised that pilgrims should be law-abiding by following instructions given to them. The Honorable Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Mohamed Haji Keller, said 2022 pilgrims faced unforeseen circumstances at the eleventh hour a reason why they took a religious-based guide to curtail it.
He added that the flight that came had only 270 capacities and there were 360 pilgrims so with the advice of the Islamic scholars they gave priority to all the female pilgrims and older people born before 1960. He reassured that all those who were disappointed in 2022 provision has been made for them to be part of this year’s pilgrimage.
Alhaji Mutali Sesay has served in the capacity of Chairman of the Land Commission, Vice Chairman of the Inter-Religious Council, and president of the Pharmaceutical Board. He said their job at the presidential Task Force is to ensure 100% delivery in the welfare and safety of the pilgrims and to present a report and recommendation of their work to President Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio and the Honourable Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh. He added that the Presidential Task Force is made up of representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Social Welfare, Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs.