By Jenneh Braima
Minister of Social Welfare, Moijue Kaikai says preparations are at an advanced stage for 800 Sierra Leoneans who will perform this year’s Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
He told Politico at his New England office in Freetown that as far as the government was concerned they had gone far into preparations with feeding, accommodation and medication for those who would be traveling.
He recalled his trip to the Saudi Kingdom with Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo and Dr. Ramadan Jalloh ahead of the Hajj to make sure things were in place.
“In fact we have an alternative bank account operating in Saudi Arabia for any emergency. I pray that President Koroma will do the kind gesture he did last year to advise all women over 45 to go with their husbands,” he said.
Kaikai revealed that departure dates would be 6 and 7 October, while pilgrims would be expected back in Sierra Leone by November, 2013.
© Politico 20/08/13
