Sierra Leone pilgrims who are participating in this year’s Hajj (1444/2023) have prayed for national cohesion in Sierra Leone and congratulated His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on his re-election as President.
The pilgrims also and urged leaders of both the governing Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) to put aside their differences and work together towards the development of the country.
“Before we departed the shores of Sierra Leone, we prayed for non-violent elections in our country. Alhamdulilah (thanks be to God), the elections went on peacefully, and His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio was constitutionally declared as winner of that presidential election. Therefore, everyone should come on board and work with President Bio to develop Sierra Leone, ” Alhaji Amadu Lakoh, an indigene of Tonkolili district said.
He also appealed to His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio to bring onboard members of the opposition and work with them for the betterment of the country.
Another pilgrim, Haja Zainab Barrie, also called on President Bio to govern Sierra Leone as Father of the Nation by embracing those from the political divide.
In her own admonition, Haja Fatmata Binta Lappia from Hill Station, Freetown, said they prayed for peace and stability in Sierra Leone. She appealed to political actors across the country to think about Sierra Leone and work in the interest of peace and tranquility.
“I am also praying that Allah would give His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio the requisite wisdom to govern Sierra Leone justly, ” Haja Binta Lappia said.
Alhaji Brima Koroma from Bombali district said that now that the elections were over, the politicians should put aside their differences and work together as one nation to develop Sierra Leone.
“Leadership is from Allah. Allah bestows honour and leadership to whom he destines. For Sierra Leone, Allah has chosen President Bio to govern Sierra Leone and as this is the will of Allah, we should not deny it,” Alhaji Koroma said. He also urged President Bio to embrace the opposition in the interest of peace and national cohesion.
A total of 652 pilgrims from Sierra Leone are participating in the 1444/2023 Hajj in Islam’s holiest city of Makkah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They have been tentatively scheduled to return on July 22, 2023.
