Saudi Slams Restrictions on Sierra Leonean Hajj Support Staff

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia has implemented stringent new regulations that significantly impacts the operational capabilities of the Sierra Leonean Hajj delegation. These measures, which stem from incidents and fatalities during last year’s Hajj, specifically exclude Sierra Leonean Embassy staff and volunteer workers from providing crucial support to pilgrims at the holy sites of Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina. This decision marks a notable shift from previous years, where such personnel played a vital role in assisting pilgrims during the demanding pilgrimage.

According to a statement issued by the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom has allocated a quota of 2,000 pilgrims to Sierra Leone for the upcoming Hajj season. However, the new restrictions permit only a minimal 1% of this number—equating to just 20 individuals—to serve as official support staff. This severely limited allocation is further compounded by the explicit exclusion of Embassy personnel and the dedicated volunteer workers who have historically been integral to the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage for Sierra Leonean nationals.

The Embassy has underscored the gravity of these new rules, issuing a stark warning that local support staff will also be prohibited from accompanying pilgrims to the sacred sites. Any breach of these regulations, the Embassy cautioned, could lead to severe punitive actions from Saudi authorities, potentially including fines, imprisonment, and deportation.

While expressing regret over these unforeseen developments, the Sierra Leonean Embassy in Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to providing assistance to its pilgrims, albeit strictly within the confines of the newly imposed Saudi regulations. The Embassy further urged all Sierra Leonean nationals participating in this year’s Hajj to meticulously adhere to all Saudi laws and guidelines to ensure a safe and incident-free pilgrimage. These stricter controls highlight a broader effort by Saudi authorities to enhance safety and crowd management during the Hajj, a measure likely influenced by the challenges encountered in previous pilgrimages.

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