Jeddah: Third final batch of 262 Sierra Leonean home-based Hajj pilgrims left King Abdulaziz International Airport Hajj Terminal aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET8525 at 21:40 KSA time Tuesday 9 June 2026. Pilgrims face eight hours non-stop flight, expecting arrival Freetown International Airport, Lungi, at 02:40 Sierra Leone time early Wednesday 10 June 2026.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, speaking via recorded Facebook video interview before departure, Haja Bondu Fatmata Brima praised the Government of President Dr Julius Maada Bio for unwavering Hajj support. She expressed satisfaction with the accommodation provided in Madinah and Makkah. 'I am very pleased with Hajj. Last night I spent the night at Kaaba. I performed farewell Tawaf, kissed Holy Kaaba, bade farewell. I prayed for children who facilitated my Hajj, my relatives, friends, neighbours, my country for peace development,' she said.
Alhaji Ibrahim Bailor Barrie described the 1447AH/2026 Hajj as 'spiritually fulfilling.' He noted Hajj represents 'Allah's calling,' prompting pilgrim reflection on life hereafter. 'Performing Hajj rituals Muzdalifah, Arafat, Mina humbled me. Among fellow pilgrims, no class; we are equal. Muzdalifah, we slept bare floor, close each other irrespective status, class, race,' Mr Barrie said. He commended President Dr Julius Maada Bio and Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for unwavering support. He stated Sierra Leone stands tall among nations for exceptional Hajj performance. He prayed for family, President, government, people Sierra Leone.
Alhaji Sheikh Abdulrazack Sengeh described feeling fulfilled, glorifying Almighty Allah for enabling Hajj performance. 'Arafat, I sensed total submission Allah. It reflected Quranic teachings about Day of Judgement as we stood white garments, Ihrams,' he said.
Alhaji Sheiku Kamara from Karene District commended the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj and Sierra Leone Embassy for support ensuring Hajj success. One Sierra Leonean Imam based in the UK, registering pilgrimage in Freetown yet requesting anonymity, also praised the government for a smooth process. He recounted Mina where Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Mohamed Haji-Kella, gave him his mattress then sought another for himself. 'This shows sacrifice humility from government minister,' he said.
Coordinator of Al-Bait Hajj and Umrah Sierra Leone, Dr Ramadan Jalloh, expressed gratitude to Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh and the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj for allocating space for 57 pilgrims under the VIP programme. The programme provided accommodation at Voco Hotel Makkah with an international buffet.
Separately, 26 pilgrims including advance Taskforce team members depart Jeddah for Freetown at 04:40 KSA time, expecting arrival in Freetown at 09:40 Sierra Leone time Wednesday 10 June 2026. Total 2,626 Sierra Leonean pilgrims, home-based plus diaspora, participated in the 1447AH/2026 Hajj, widely regarded as successful. One elderly pilgrim from Gambia passed away in Makkah of natural causes, receiving a befitting burial in Makkah after family approval.