Makkah: Sierra Leonean pilgrims participating in the 1447H/2026 Hajj have completed Tawaf al-Ifadah, also known as Tawaf az-Ziyarah, marking the completion of the main rites of the pilgrimage. The pilgrims performed the circumambulation of the Kaaba after completing the stoning of the Jamarat between Wednesday and Friday. They also observed two rak’ahs behind Maqam Ibrahim and completed Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, commemorating Hajar’s search for water for her son, Prophet Ismail. With the completion of Sa’i, the four main pillars of Hajj have now been fulfilled. The only rite remaining is Tawaf al-Wada, the farewell circumambulation of the Kaaba, which is performed seven times before departure.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, Dr. Chernor Ibrahim Bah, popularly known as Dokal and Head of Rituals for the Presidential Hajj Taskforce, said the Taskforce paid for 826 lambs through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Affairs portal. He explained that the Islamic Development Bank carried out the slaughter on T
hursday, 28 May 2026, on behalf of Sierra Leonean pilgrims performing Tamattu-those who performed Umrah before Hajj. He noted that the sacrifice is compulsory for pilgrims in that category.
Most of the Sierra Leonean pilgrims are staying at Diyar Al Sa’ad Hotel and praying at Masjid al-Haram. Others accommodated at Al Olayan Diamond Hotel, located about 15 minutes’ drive from the Grand Mosque, are praying at nearby mosques. Sheikh Alhaji Dyfan Abass Massaquoi, Head of Operations for the Presidential Hajj Taskforce, confirmed that all 2,626 pilgrims are safe and fully accounted for in Makkah. He said the first batch of home-based pilgrims will depart Jeddah for Sierra Leone on 6 June 2026 via Ethiopian Airlines, followed by the second batch on 7 June and the final batch on 9 June 2026. He added that Sierra Leonean pilgrims based in the diaspora will leave on separate flight schedules.
Of the total number of pilgrims, 826 are home-based and registered in Sierra Leone, while 1,800 are Sierra Leoneans living ab
road. Saudi authorities said the movement of pilgrims to Arafat proceeded smoothly, with traffic flowing efficiently throughout the exercise. According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), a total of 1,707,301 pilgrims performed the 1447H/2026 Hajj in Makkah. Of that number, 1,546,655 were international pilgrims from 165 nationalities, while 160,646 were citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia. The total included 893,396 male pilgrims and 823,905 female pilgrims.
Hajj, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is obligatory for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake it. This year’s pilgrimage took place from 25 to 30 May 2026, corresponding to 8-12 Dhul-Hijjah 1447H.