First Sierra Leonean Pilgrims Arrive in Madinah as 1446/2026 Hajj Season Begins

The first group of Sierra Leonean pilgrims has officially arrived in the holy city of Madinah, marking the start of the 1446/2026 Hajj season for the West African nation.

According to a social media update from the Sierra Leone Embassy in Riyadh, an initial batch of 150 pilgrims from the diaspora landed on Saturday. The group represents the first wave of a much larger overseas contingent, with the remaining members of the 1,800-person diaspora community expected to arrive in the coming days.

This year’s Hajj pilgrimage will feature a combined delegation of Sierra Leoneans from both home and abroad.

Diaspora Pilgrims: 1,800

Home-Based Pilgrims: 826

Total Delegation: 2,626

The figures reflect a significant turnout as Muslims from Sierra Leone prepare to undertake one of the most important pillars of Islam.

To ensure a smooth and organized experience for the pilgrims, an advance team from the Presidential Hajj Taskforce arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

The team is tasked with overseeing reception arrangements, coordinating accommodation, and supporting pilgrims throughout their stay.

For the 826 pilgrims traveling directly from Sierra Leone, Ethiopian Airlines will handle transportation through three scheduled batches departing from Freetown.

Batch 1: May 15

Batch 2: May 16

Batch 3: May 18

All home-based pilgrims are expected to arrive first in Madinah, where they will spend several days in prayer and visitation at Prophet’s Mosque before proceeding to Makkah for the main Hajj rites.

The arrival of the first batch signals the official commencement of Sierra Leone’s 2026 Hajj journey, as thousands prepare for the sacred pilgrimage.