The head of Sierra Leone’s Hajj delegation to Saudi Arabia a couple of weeks ago has welcomed "successful arrangements" for this year’s Muslim pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray who doubles as Sierra Leone’s Minister of Labour, Social Security and Employment, was reacting to a statement issued by the Undersecretary of the Saudi Arabia Hajj Ministry who was quoted by local tabloids to have said that his ministry "has completed about 98 percent of arrangements for this year’s pilgrimage.”
Hatim Qadi reportedly told reporters in Riyadh last night that meetings pertaining to the pilgrimage have been held with the Hajj missions of all Muslim countries during which arrangements and preparations were fruitfully discussed.
The official said several workshops have also been completed on how to help pilgrims perform their hajj rituals easily and comfortably.
In his reaction, Hon. Mansaray told this writer on the telephone that they were satisfied with the completion of 98 percent of arrangements for this year’s ’Hajj’.
"From our meetings with the Hajj Minister, Dr. Fouad Bin Abdul Salam Al-Farsy and other Hajj affiliated organizations last May, I was confident that they would succeed in their arrangements and I think we are satisfied with the mechanisms they intend to put in place for the successful arrangements for this year’s pilgrimage," Hon. Minkailu said.
It would be recalled that Ahaji Minkailu Mansaray, arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a 5-Man delegation on Monday May 17th to Sunday 30th May, 2010 as head of his country’s Hajj Delegation to discuss necessary arrangements with the Hajj Ministry and other affiliated Hajj organizations for the 2010 Hajj.
Before they left for Freetown, Mr. Mansaray described their trip as "’very successful’’, adding that, "we have concluded arrangements and requirements relating to the affairs of Sierra Leonean pilgrims among other vital issues."
Mr. Mansaray’s delegation was composed of the Special Assistant, Office of the President, Alhaji Mohamed S. Kargbo, Chairman Hajj Committee, Sheik Abubakar Conteh, former Chairman of the 2009 Hajj Committee, Sheik Ahmed Tejan Sillah and First Secretary at the Sierra Leone Emnbassy in Riyadh, Mr. Eric B. Gamanga who deputized the Ambassador, H.E. Wusu B. Munu.
Hajj, which is the fifth pillar of Islam, is an annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. According to the world’s free encyclopedia, Wilkipedia, it is "the largest pilgrimage in the world."
It must be carried out by every able- bodied Muslim who can afford it at least once in his/her lifetime. Every year over 2.5 million Muslims converge on Mecca to demonstrate their solidarity and submission to their creator.
Photo: Alhaji Jalloh with an official of the Saudi Hajj Ministry.
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