The first and second batches of this year pilgrims numbering to over eight hundred have returned home on Friday and Saturday after an entertaining experience in Saudi Arabia under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio.

These pilgrims were formally and wholeheartedly welcomed home by the able lieutenant of the President His Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Hon. Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh at the Lungi International Airports.

The Honorable Vice President is accompanied by the Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs Honorable Baindu Dassama and host of other Cabinet Ministers in welcoming the pilgrims at home. The pilgrims departed Sierra Leone in mid August after successful supervision of the Hajj planning and management process committee in a transparent manner by the Vice President.

It could be recalled that at the nick of time, the swift intervention of the VP together with members of the Hajj Committee succeeded in lobbying the Republic of Saudi Arabia for additional quota to Sierra Leone for twenty eight intending pilgrims to undertake the lifetime religious obligation in Mecca.

Speaking to the pilgrims at Lungi International Airport, the Hon. Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said that he is very happy for this year’s hajj program.

He furthered assured the pilgrims that the government would continue to build on the successes of this year’s hajj to ensure that subsequent hajj are not only a divine obligation but also a fruitful and entertaining experience for the pilgrims.

“The successful nature in which this hajj process has been handled has no doubt increased the overall rating of the new direction” VP concluded.

After official welcomed by the Vice President pilgrims have been converged at National Stadium in Freetown where their relatives and love ones receive them.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia authorities have reported that over 2.3 million pilgrims have left the Kingdom after completing their Hajj.