He added that: “I am particularly fond of Sierra Leonenans here in Saudi. I will not forget the kindness and hospitality of the people I’ve met. I am also struck by how hard working Sierra Leonenans are. I have been impressed by the people’s desire to build and develop their nation which they are so proud to be a part of.”
Born 40 years ago, Saleh Zaharani studied at the Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies. After completion of his medical studies, he went into Real Estate business and he has other lucrative businesses in and out of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The annual Muslim pilgrimage has become a lucrative business in recent years, proving a great financial asset to the economy of the oil-rich Gulf nation of Saudi Arabia. The highest rents in Saudi are found in the holy city of Mecca. Owners of hotels close to the Grand Mosque of Mecca ask for over $ 700 a night. Super-tall buildings are filling the Mecca skyline at an unstoppable pace. The ancient city’s centuries-old sites are giving way to glitzy luxury hotels, which are not affordable for many pilgrims.
Fortunately for Sierra Leone pilgrims, Saleh has been providing accommodation for them at an affordable cost over the past five years. He became interested in helping Sierra Leone pilgrims since the Government of His Excellency; President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma manifested interest in the organization of Hajj – a programme that was handled by agencies. Saleh says he admires a leader born to a cultured and dedicated Christian family to manifest interest in the Muslim Community. “I think Sierra Leone pilgrims deserve support,” the soft-spoken Saleh said in my interview with him.
He is believed my many Sierra Leoneans to be a true friend of their country. In the interview, he was also overwhelmed about what he discovered about the West African State of Sierra Leone in terms of her natural endowments, conducive environment for business, security and stability, and according to him, His Excellency the President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma is determined to take Sierra Leone to higher height.
During his last visits, he met with the former Vice President, Sam Sumana and senior cabinet ministers. He intends meeting with the President in his next visit in the not-too-distant future. He says investors should help President Koroma in his reformation drive aimed at making Sierra Leone a middle-income country. Since he returned from Sierra Leone a few years ago, his admiration for the country paved way for him to embark on rebranding the image of the country.
Saleh has said a lot of positive things about Sierra Leone to his business partners and other investors in and out of Saudi Arabia. He has wooed many Saudi investors that have planned to visit Sierra Leone to see for themselves and know which areas they would invest in.
