By: Aminata Turay
Hundreds of Sierra Leonean pilgrims gathered in London at a welcome reception organized by Yaadu Travel Services to express their gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio and Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for enabling them to perform this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca under Sierra Leone’s official Hajj quota for the second consecutive year.
The pilgrims, who recently returned from the holy city of Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, described the initiative as a significant opportunity for Sierra Leoneans living in the diaspora to fulfill one of the fundamental pillars of Islam.
Addressing the gathering, Vice President Juldeh Jalloh, who oversees the Presidential Hajj Taskforce, reflected on the government’s efforts to reform Sierra Leone’s Hajj operations since 2018.
He noted that the country had overcome major financial and administrative challenges within the Hajj system while introducing greater accountability, transparency, and efficiency.
Highlighting the government’s decision to extend Hajj opportunities to Sierra Leoneans living abroad, he stated: “Today, I am pleased to see that both last year and this year, we were able to facilitate the participation of Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora under the Sierra Leone Government’s Hajj quota.”
The Vice President assured pilgrims that efforts would continue to improve services and expand opportunities for future pilgrimages.
Commending the successful completion of this year’s Hajj, he noted that all Sierra Leonean pilgrims returned safely from Saudi Arabia. “Every year, we learn. Every year, we improve our services,” he said.
He also encouraged pilgrims to continue praying for Sierra Leone’s peace, stability, unity, and development.
The Minister of Social Welfare, Alhaji Mohamed Haji Kella, attributed the success of Sierra Leone’s Hajj programme to the leadership of President Bio and the commitment of Vice President Juldeh Jalloh.
He praised the Vice President for leading reforms that have transformed the country’s Hajj operations and enhanced Sierra Leone’s reputation as one of the most reliable providers of Hajj services in West Africa.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Yaadu Travel Services, Alhaji Mohammed Saadu Jalloh, credited the growth and success of the Sierra Leone Hajj scheme to the leadership of President Bio and the dedication of Vice President Juldeh Jalloh.
He disclosed that approximately 500 pilgrims from the United Kingdom and other European countries performed Hajj this year under the Sierra Leone scheme. He thanked the pilgrims for their trust, patience, and cooperation throughout the pilgrimage process.
The event concluded with special prayers for President Julius Maada Bio, Vice President Juldeh Jalloh, and the people of Sierra Leone. Pilgrims offered prayers for continued peace, national unity, prosperity, and progress, inspired by the values and spirit of Hajj.