First Batch of 267 Sierra Leonean Hajj Pilgrims Arrive in Saudi Arabia

May 31, 2024

The first group of 267 Hajj pilgrims from Sierra Leone has safely landed at the Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madina, Saudi Arabia, at 16:00 KSA time. This marks the beginning of their sacred journey to perform the 2024/1445 Hajj, set to take place from June 14 to June 19, 2024.

Departing from Lungi International Airport early on Friday, May 31, 2024, the pilgrims traveled aboard Ethiopian Airlines. A second group of Sierra Leonean pilgrims is scheduled to depart on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

The Presidential Taskforce on Hajj in Sierra Leone played a pivotal role in coordinating with Ethiopian Airlines to facilitate the travel of the pilgrims in two batches. This arrangement ensures that the pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia two weeks before the commencement of the Hajj rituals, allowing them ample time to prepare.

Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by all adult Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey.

According to the Saudi Gazette, the influx of pilgrims into the Kingdom began on May 9 (Dhul Qada 1), marking the start of the annual pilgrimage season. Tens of thousands of pilgrims from around the world are arriving daily in Makkah and Madinah, supported by an integrated system designed to ensure they can perform their rituals with ease and comfort.