By Abubakarr Bah, Information Attaché, Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Saudi Arabia.
A total of Six Hundred and Thirty-eight (638) pilgrims from Sierra Leone have joined the more than 1.5 million of their colleagues from around the world to congregate at the sacred place of Arafat in Saudi Arabia for intense, day-long worship; prayers, supplications and reflection.
On this 9th Day of Dhul-Hijjah (corresponding to 15th June, 2024), more than 1.5 million pilgrims across the world dressed in white seamless Ihram, congregated at Mount Arafat in the early hours of Saturday morning chanting praises of Allah “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik” (O God, here I am answering your call) signifying the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage.
The ritual at Mount Arafat, known as the hill of mercy, is often the most memorable for pilgrims, who spend the day praying Zuhur and Asr and asking God for mercy, blessings, prosperity, and good health. Mount Arafat is about 20 kilometres southeast of the Holy City of Makkah, Islam’s holiest site.
It is believed that Prophet Muhammad delivered his final speech, known as the Farewell Sermon, at the sacred mount 1,435 years ago. In the sermon, the Prophet called for equality and unity among Muslims.
In his welcome address, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, congratulated the pilgrims for witnessing Arafat Day. He also appreciated the effort of His Excellency the President, his government and the Task Force for the success of the Hajj, and admonished all the pilgrims to do the same and as such pray for Sierra Leone. Ambassador Jalloh narrated the significance of the Day of Arafat to the pilgrims.
Delivering the message from His Excellency, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Mohamed Haji-Kella, congratulated the pilgrims and urged them to pray for peace and tranquillity in Sierra Leone to ensure sustainable development for our children.
One of the pilgrims, Binta Jarai Jalloh, a business woman from Kabala, Koinadugu District told this writer in an interview that she is very happy about the Hajj.
“I feel spiritually uplifted when I arrived at Arafat. I felt emotional when I arrived at Jabal Rahma or “Mount of Mercy,” where Prophet Muhammad delivered his final speech.” Haja Binta said she prayed for mercy and also made supplication for peace and prosperity in Sierra Leone.
After Saturday’s worship in Arafat, pilgrims will travel a few kilometres to a site known as Muzdalifa to collect pebbles that they will use in the symbolic stoning of pillars representing the devil.
Pilgrims will then return to Mina where they will stay for three days, coinciding with the festive of Eid Al-Adha, when financially abled Muslims around the world slaughter livestock and distribute the meat to the poor.
The staff of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the Nationals’ Union and a cross section of Sierra Leonean Students volunteers in the Kingdom, have been very supportive to the Presidential Task Force on Hajj throughout the Hajj in the areas of hospitality, especially in accessing accommodation, visitations of the holy sites as well as tracking or finding some pilgrims who go missing.
This year’s Hajj has been successful but not without its usual challenges, especially with the late delivery of meals in Mina and Arafat. In this regard, the Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on Hajj, Sierra Leone, Alhaji Murtada Sesay, told this writer in an interview that that he has requested to hold a bilateral meeting with the Director General of Hajj and Umrah Affairs in Saudi Arabia to ensure that the issue is factored into their planning to ensure a more efficient service delivery in the future. Alhaji Sesay also disclosed that another challenge is that this year’s Hajj records more aged pilgrims compared to the previous years, adding that the rituals are physically demanding for some pilgrims who are completely immobile and require wheelchair support. But the staff of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the Hajj Taskforce volunteers comprising the Nationals’ Union and a cross section of Sierra Leonan students in the Kingdom have been very instrumental in helping the aged pilgrims.