Stakeholders of Mandu Chiefdom in Kailahun District have commended the Government of President Dr Julius Maada Bio for awarding scholarships to three descendants of their Chiefdom to perform the 2022 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
Natives and descendants from the Chiefdom on Friday, July 29, 2022 received the pilgrims at Mobai Junction and escorted them with fanfare to the Mandu Central Mosque in Mobai, the Headquarter town of the Chiefdom, where they performed the Friday congregational prayer.
The three beneficiaries are the Chiefdom Chief Imam, Alhaji Mustapha Fuad Kamara, the Manager of Provincial Islamic Mission, Alhaji Zydan Swaray and Alhaji Foday Jaward.
The scholarship process was facilitated by the Minister of the Environment, Professor Foday Moriba Jaward and Honourable Hawa Siafa, Member of Parliament for Constituency 005.
Speaking at the Mosque before the congregational prayers, Professor Jaward informed the gathering that 941 Sierra Leoneans performed the 2022 Hajj without any casualty.
He noted that it would have been a huge financial cost on him and the Member of Parliament to facilitate the travel of the pilgrims if President Julius Maada Bio had not provided the scholarships.
He encouraged all to continue to pray for the country and support the development strides of the Government.
At the handing over meeting of the pilgrims to the Chiefdom authorities, the District Coordinator for the United Council of Imams, Alhaji Musa Jaward said he was delighted to report that the pilgrims have completed the fifth pillar of Islam and returned home safe.
The Paramount Chief of Mandu Chiefdom, Fallay Coomber commended the efforts of Professor Jaward and Honourable Siafa for facilitating the trip of the pilgrims and extended his regards to President Bio for considering the people of his Chiefdom.
The Chief of Mobai Town, Mohamed Coomber said that he was not surprised by the action of Professor Jaward because he has been providing welfare, health and education support to several people in Kailahun District.
“Since we have been engaged in national politics in this Chiefdom for several years, this is the first time that we are enjoying substantial benefits from politics through our brother, the Minister of the Environment, who has shown so much interest in his people”, he noted.
Chief Coomber commended the decision of President Bio for appointing Professor Jaward to his cabinet, and encouraged other descendants of the Chiefdom who has the ability to emulate the philanthropy of Professor Jaward.
One of the beneficiaries of the Hajj scholarship, Alhaji Mustapha Fuad Kamara expressed his excitement for performing the Hajj and recounted on the hospitality services that were extended to them by the Government of Sierra Leone throughout the pilgrimage.
He prayed for peace and development in the country, and yearned for more opportunities to be extended to the Chiefdom.
All of the Hajj pilgrims were escorted to their respective homes after the official welcome ceremony.
