In a telephone interview with Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Ernest Bai
Koroma on Saturday, 26th October 2013, His Excellency expressed how he
was delighted to have spoken to Sierra Leone pilgrims that have
successfully performed this year’s Hajj.
It could be recalled that President Koroma, who was in the Federal
Republic of Germany over the weekend telephoned the Head of 2013 Hajj
Team to Saudi Arabia, Hon. Alhaji Moijueh Kaikai last Friday 25th
October, 2013 and requested to talk to a cross-section of the Sierra
Leone pilgrims himself to enquire about their general status.
The president spoke to over 50 pilgrims, including, some members of
the medical team that accompanied the pilgrims, cooks, the elderly,
the disabled, religious and traditional leaders, among many others.
In our 15½ minutes telephone conversation, President Koroma told me
that he particularly appreciated the most heartfelt supplications and
prayers the pilgrims offered for Sierra Leone in the Holy land.
However, he advised that such supplications should be regularly
offered for the general development of our country by the pilgrims
when they return to Sierra Leone. He was also very pleased to realize
the high spirits of the pilgrims he spoke to. The pilgrims’
well-being and satisfaction were his major concern, he reiterated.
In the same vein, His Excellency said he was tremendously proud of the
Hajj Delegation headed by Moijueh Kaikai and his team for the
spectacular job they have done so far. He characterized their
services as a glowing example of patriotism. He said he has been told
by the pilgrims he spoke to how effectively and satisfactorily the
Hajj team carried out its functions, and that is what has been most
pleasant to him.
His Excellency was also elated to learn that the Head of the Hajj
Delegation, Hon. Moijueh Kaikai, his deputy, M.S. Kargbo and a good
number of pilgrims were present at the slaughter site to ensure that
the number of animals slaughtered conformed to the exact number of the
pilgrims. That act of the Hajj team, President Koroma added, was
unprecedented and was an immense source of relief to all the pilgrims
and to him as well. He truly wanted this year’s slaughtering ritual
to be totally devoid of all suspicions and doubts; and, thank God and
thanks to the tireless Hajj team, the mission was effectively
accomplished to the satisfaction of all.
Commenting in general on the exhilarating atmosphere of this year’s
hajj, President Koroma wasted no time to express his pleasure with
regard to the valuable contribution made by the Embassy of Sierra
Leone in Saudi Arabia. He thanked all the members of the Embassy for
the services they were able to render to the Sierra Leone pilgrims.
On a special note, His Excellency commended the selfless and
invaluable contribution and services Sierra Leone nationals resident
in Saudi Arabia (employees and students alike), have been rendering to
pilgrims of their homeland over the years. He said the roles these
bona fide citizens of Sierra Leone play every year are immensely vital
to the overall success of the Hajj Mission. The head of state
described them as the “unknown soldiers who work laboriously for the
relief of their compatriots anticipating reward from no-one but the
Almighty.”
President Koroma furthered that the concerted efforts exerted during
the Hajj season every year is a clear and tangible example of how best
we can stand as a nation to attain our national goals when we work in
unison with a sincerity of purpose.
Unity of purpose, he emphasized, is one most useful lesson to derive
from the entire Hajj process. He said he wishes that the Sierra Leone
pilgrims, (past, current and future ones), irrespective of their
various affiliations, would carry this spirit of unity and oneness
they have enjoyed during their performance of the different Hajj
rituals to their people in Sierra Leone and propagate the message of
unity as one people, one nation, and one goal.
He said if Sierra Leoneans in their homeland get united as they do
during the Hajj season, he would not have an iota of doubt that Sierra
Leone would move forward in all aspects and directions; and, of
course, the fruits of such a binding unity would be enjoyed by none,
but Sierra Leoneans themselves.
In a message to the pilgrims in the Holy land and to Sierra Leoneans
at large, President Koroma emphasized that his success in governance
largely depends on the amount of support he garners from all the
sectors in Sierra Leone. Hence, he is asking all and sundry to
demonstrate true nationalism in the execution of their assigned duties
to their best ability. By so doing, the President said, we will be
better off in all domains of vital importance. In this vein, he cited
the performance of the 2013 Hajj Delegation as embodiment of true
nationalism.
Speaking of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency showered his
unreserved praise on the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Saudi King
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and his entire Government for what he
described as “excellent facilities and arrangements put in place for
use by the pilgrims in this year’s Hajj”.
He pointed out that the pilgrims performed the Hajj rituals with ease
and comfort due to the excellent services and facilities provided to
them by the Saudi Government.
He also commended the Saudi Government for the effective security
measures it takes annually to ensure the safety of all pilgrims. The
Chief Executive considers the current Saudi Monarch’s era as a golden
one, not only for Saudis, but also for the entire Muslim nations, as
far as Hajj is concerned. The improvement measures being carried out
right now in the holy sites would definitely, after their completion,
make future pilgrims more comfortable, His Excellency concluded.
Meanwhile, as father of the nation, the President has asked the Sierra
Leone Hajj Mission to inform pilgrims that he will provide a 40-feet
container for any excess baggage that pilgrims may have. The
President’s gesture came after the airline announced that each pilgrim
is entitled to 30 kg only 10 kg as hand luggage. He said that those
who can afford to have more than the stipulated 30 kg should go ahead
and buy themselves what they could afford and be rest assured that
their luggage will safely and certainly be carried to Sierra Leone.
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