Riyadh, Monday, 12th May 2025 – Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E Mohammed S Barrie, on Sunday had a courtesy visit with H.E. Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Affairs, to discuss opportunities and challenges related to Hajj and Umrah operations between the two countries.
During the meeting, Ambassador Barrie expressed gratitude for the Saudi government’s support, highlighting the recent increase in pilgrim quota from 628 to 2,000 for the 2025 Hajj. He requested a further increase to 5,000 for the 2026 Hajj, emphasizing the need for constant training, clear communication, and improved portal usability.
Key outcomes from the meeting include:
– Conducting training sessions on system usage six months prior to each Hajj
– Streamlining the registration process
– Adhering to standardized timelines
– Increasing permits of Sierra Leonean pilgrims support team in the Kingdom
The Minister accepted some concerns raised by the Ambassador and expressed willingness to visit Sierra Leone. Discussions touched on potential investments in other sectors and the importance of meeting deadlines.
Notably, the Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Affairs, Abdulfattah Bin Sulaiman Mashat, proposed a joint visit to Boston, Massachusetts, with Ambassador Barrie. The Minister, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, requested a joint visit to both Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Boston, Massachusetts, citing Sierra Leone would receive special consideration due to Ambassador Barrie’s understanding of the two countries’ vision and objectives.
Ambassador Barrie seized the opportunity to highlight strong economic ties between the Kingdom and Sierra Leone, showcasing the country’s fertile land, natural resources, and potential for agricultural development and investment.
The Minister presented a gift of the Holy Kaaba Landscape as a token of appreciation to Ambassador Barrie.
The meeting concluded with a strong plea from the Ambassador Barrie to increase the Sierra Leone pilgrim quota to 5,000 starting from the 2026 Hajj.
