A Saudi businessman, Saleh Zahrani, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Umrah Coordinating Team and Ambassador Dr. Ibrahim Jalloh, on Friday organised “Edul al-fitri banquet for about one hundred Sierra Leonean Umrah pilgrims in the Holy City of Makkah.
Sierra Leonean pilgrims from the United States, United Kingdom, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a batch of 30 pilgrims from Sierra Leone, had a sumptuous lunch after Eid prayers, marked after the observance of the Holy month of Ramadan, 1444.
The 30 pilgrims from Sierra Leone expressed their satisfaction at the Umrah rituals, nothing that the entire process went on well. They commended the Umrah Coordination committee for a job well done.
The Ambassador of the Sierra Leone Embassy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim Jalloh, said he was pleased to interact and have a colourful banquet Eid al-Fitr with all the Sierra Leonean Umrah pilgrims from across the world.
The Ambassador, on behalf of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the Government of Sierra Leone, thanked the Umrah Coordinating Team of Sierra Leone for raising the country’s flag high during this year’s Ramadan in Makkah, noting that it was the first time in the history of the country to record such a huge number of Umrah pilgrims.
Ambassador Jalloh commended the Government of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for the continuous support given to the Muslim Ummah in Sierra Leone, especially during the Hajj and Umrah rituals. He described the Eid al-Fitr as very significant for Muslims. “We should celebrate and be thankful to Allah for enabling us to observe the Ramadan successfully which should be seen as a huge reward from Allah,” he said.
The Ambassador commended the Saudi businessman, Saleh Zahrani for organising the Eid al-Fitr lunch.
The Coordinator of the Umrah Coordinating Team in Sierra Leone, Dr. Ramadan Jalloh, gave a touching sermon on the significance of continuous worship after the Holy month of Ramadan. He said this is the first time a total number of 30 pilgrims came to Makkah as a batch for the Umrah rituals.
Dr Jalloh made a sermon on the significance of Umrah and the huge reward Muslims get for performing Umrah, especially during the month of Ramadan. He disclosed that the Hon. Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, greatly supported the Umrah coordinating team.
“The Hon. Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh gave us the requisite support and he even provided sea coach to transport the Umrah pilgrims from Aberdeen to Lungi free of cost. It is for us to say this and to acknowledge his support.” Dr. Ramadan Jalloh concluded.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Umrah Coordinating Team, Alhaji Kawusu Kebbay thanked the Honourable Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for reposing confidence and trust in him as chairman of the Umrah rituals. He said the vice president even entrusted him with his wife and sisters to come along with him for the Umrah rituals. Alhaji Kebbay also appreciated the patience and confidence the Umrah pilgrims reposed in him throughout and apologized for any unanticipated inconvenience during the trip.
He also commended and appreciated the support of Ambassador Jalloh during the whole process of organizing the Ramadan Umrah trip.
The pilgrims are currently in Madinah for “Ziyarah” where they are expected to spend few days praying and visiting some Islamic historical sites before returning to their respective countries of residence.
