Hajj Pilgrims Say: ‘Tenki’ Pres. Bio!

The above were just some of the praises, blessings and words of appreciation bestowed on President Julius Maada, First Lady Fatima Bio and the New Direction Government and other authorities by departing pilgrims yesterday 5^th August, 2019 at the Freetown International Airport, Lungi.

Among the departing Muslims for the Holy City of Mecca in Saudi Arabia that were interviewed by AYV included Sheik Musa Kamara, the Mammy Queen of Constituency 111, the Chairlady of Congo Water, and a host of others whose names could not be captured.

According to many of the male and female pilgrims that would be observing the fifth pillar of Islam which is to fulfill Hajj, they are extremely happy that President Bio and his government kept their word to make their trip to Saudi Arabia uneventful and without hassle. They recounted that since the start of the Hajj process, they have been very confident about its outcome and that the departure of 900 pilgrims from the Freetown International Airport in two batches proves this fact; the reason why they are full of praise for President Bio. They called on God to guide and protect President Bio and to grant him long life as well as to help him rule the country without incident. They also extended their thanks and appreciation to the Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the Minister of Social Welfare and the entire Hajj Committee for their relentless efforts in making their trip to the Holy Land of Mecca a success.

Present at the Freetown International Airport yesterday Monday 5^th August, 2019 to witness the departure of the first and second batch of pilgrims respectively were the Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs Baindu Dassama, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation Sadiq Sillah, among several other government officials. They spoke briefly to the departing pilgrims, admonishing them to abide by all rules and regulations on arrival in Saudi Arabia, adding that they would be met by officials from the Sierra Leone Ministry of Social Welfare and other officials on arrival in Saudi Arabia. In total, 900 pilgrims made the journey to Saudi Arabia.

The Fynas flight took-off from the Freetown International Airport at approximately 17:12.