The Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj in Sierra Leone has said a total of 609 pilgrims from Sierra Leone will be participating in this year’s Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Alhaji Murtada Sesay told this writer in an interview that among this number are 2 medical doctors, 1 pharmacist, 2 nurses and 3 members of the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj.

He further said that among the 609 pilgrims, 60% are self-sponsored, while 40% are beneficiaries of government scholarships.

He noted that the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj has made arrangements and negotiated with Ethiopian Airlines to ensure that the pilgrims are flown to Saudi Arabia in two batches between 31st May and 1st June 2024 respectively.

The pilgrims are expected to land in Madina, Islam’s second holiest city, before proceeding to Makkah for the 1445 Hajj.