By Abubakarr Bah, Information Attaché
The Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim Jalloh and the Mubarak Travels and Tours Agency-Sierra Leone in collaboration with Saudi businessman, Saleh Zahrani, organised the Second Eid Banquet for Sierra Leonean Umrah Pilgrims in Makkah, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This year, a total number of 75 pilgrims from Sierra Leone performed the Umrah, while a lot more Sierra Leoneans from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United States, Europe (including the United Kingdom) made it to the Holy
Land of Makkah. A good number of them had a sumptuous lunch at Hooka Park Restaurant in Makkah, after Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the Holy month of Ramadan, 1445.
The travel of 60 of the pilgrims from Sierra Leone was facilitated by the Mubarak Travels and Tours Agency, while the travel of the 15 others was done by Al-Nour.
The Ambassador of Sierra Leone Embassy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim Jalloh, said he was pleased to interact and have a colourful banquet with all the Sierra Leonean Umrah pilgrims from across the world. He described this year’s Umrah as a turning point for the Sierra Leonean pilgrims.
On behalf of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the Government of Sierra Leone, the Ambassador said he was pleased to wish the Sierra Leonean pilgrims in Makkah a blessed Eid al-Fitr celebration and to congratulate them on performing a successful Umrah during the Holy month of Ramadan. Ambassador Jalloh thanked the Mubarak and Al-Nour Angencies of Sierra Leone for raising the country’s flag high during this year’s Ramadan in Makkah, noting that it was the second time in the history of the country to record such a high number of Umrah pilgrims.
Ambassador Jalloh commended the Government of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for the continuous support given to the Muslim Ummah in Sierra Leone, especially during the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. He described the Eid al-Fitr as very significant for Muslims.
“We should celebrate and be thankful to Allah for enabling us to observe the Ramadan successfully which should be seen as a huge reward from Allah,” he said.
The Ambassador commended the Saudi businessman, Saleh Zahrani for hosting the Eid al-Fitr lunch.
The Coordinator of the Mubarak Travels and Tours Agency in Sierra Leone, Dr. Ramadan Jalloh, said this is the second time pilgrims are coming from Sierra Leone in a larger number compared to last year to perform Umrah during the month of Ramadan.
He said that the Hon. Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh greatly supported the Umrah Coordinating Team.
“The Hon. Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh gave us the requisite support and he even provided a VIP sea coach to transport the Umrah pilgrims from Aberdeen to Lungi free of cost. It is for us to say this and to acknowledge his support, he said.
Dr. Ramadan Jalloh also commended and appreciated the support of Ambassador Jalloh during the process of organizing the Ramadan Umrah trip last year.
The pilgrims from Sierra Leone expressed their satisfaction for the Umrah rituals, noting that the entire process went on well. They commended the Mubarak Travels and Tours Agency for a job well done.
