Addressing them in the slaughter house, Alhaji Shekito stressed that he was  effectively carrying out the directives of His Excellency, President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, noting that the country’s pilgrims should fulfill all mandatory procedures in the Hajj process.

The Hajj Chairman expressed appreciation to invitees for honouring the invitation at the slaughter house, to witness and guide some of the pilgrims in the processes and procedures involved in slaughtering.

Speaking to Journalists after the exercise, the pilgrims expressed satisfaction over the smooth sacrificial process.

Paramount Chief Papwe of Moyamba told Voice of Islam’s Chernor Barrie that, this year’s sacrifice was carried out efficiently, leaving no room for doubt on whether their animals have been slaughtered accordingly or not.

“Thanks to the Presidential directives and to the Embassy Officials and Members of the Hajj Committee who ensure that the President’s order was implemented to the letter and to the satisfaction of stakeholders,” the Paramount Chief said.

According to Islamic Scholars, slaughtering of animals during the Feast of Eid-ul-Adha is significant in Islam, adding that it emanated from Prophet Ibrahim, Father of the Prophets (Peace be upon him), when Almighty Allah commanded him in a dream to slaughter his only son, Ishmael as a sacrifice for the Almighty Allah.

This noble practice which was instituted by Prophet Ibrahim, was later adopted by Prophet Muhammad and his followers.

This year’s two-day exercise was done in the presence of Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, H.E Alhaji Mohamed Sillah Kargbo and Embassy officials and representatives from the 12 districts of Sierra Leone.