By Politico Staff Writer
Represented by key stakeholders, Sierra Leone has joined several other countries across the world to sign the 2024/1445 Hajj Agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The signing ceremony was done by the Chairman of the Sierra Leone Presidential Taskforce on Hajj, Alhaji Murtada Sesay, at a bilateral meeting with the Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, on the sideline of the final day of the 3rd edition of the Annual Hajj and Umrah Exhibition & Conference held at the Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on the 11th January 2024.
In the signing agreement, both parties agreed that "the 2024/1445 Hajj operations will be guided by a new culture of precision that will ensure that the pre-Hajj, Hajj, and Umrah activities are carried out on time."
In his brief statement after the signing ceremony, the Chairman of the Sierra Leone Presidential Taskforce on Hajj noted that the agreement is aimed at making the 2024 pilgrimage journey to Makkah smoother and more accessible for pilgrims from Sierra Leone. He said the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj is also making necessary arrangements for flights, accommodation, transportation, and catering, to ensure that pilgrims from Sierra Leone get the best of hospitality during the pilgrimage.
The Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Mohamed Haji-Kella, who also doubles as a member of the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj, described the Hajj and Umrah Exhibition & Conference as historic given the recognition and credence they were accorded, particularly during the workshops and bilateral meetings in the Kingdom.
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Ibrahim Jalloh, who is also a member of the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj, said the just-concluded Hajj and Umrah Exhibition and Conference is significant as it greatly enhances transforming the Hajj and Umrah processes. He said the Embassy is working collaboratively with the Sierra Leone Presidential Taskforce on the Hajj delegation to ensure a smooth and successful 2024 Hajj.
Over 60 countries across the world participated in this year’s Hajj and Umrah Exhibition & Conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (14/01/24)
