H.E MUNU and wife, Mrs. Zainab Munu at the Mina Ca
Haja Zainab Hawa Bangura was speaking via telephone from her Mina Palace where she was hosted by the Saudi Royal Protocol Department this week, when she said to hundreds of Sierra Leonean Pilgrims that: "President Ernest Bai Koroma is very concerned about your welfare. He telephones me every day to enquire about your welfare. He is a leader who always cares for his people."
The Minister further urges the Pilgrims to pray for their leader and the country while performing the Hajj rituals in all the holy places.
"If our country forges ahead, it will be in the interest of all of us," the minister added.
Earlier, the Ambassador, H.E. Wusu Munu who represented the Minister accompanied by his Minister Counsellor/Head of Chancery, Mr. Ibrahim S. Yilla, Diplomatic and Local Staff of the Embassy said: "I bring you greetings from the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Haja Zainab Hawa Bangura.
Her absence here was due to unavoidable circumstances. She felt it so much for not being here in person to address you. But she is very much concerned about all of you."
The Ambassador also thanked all Sierra Leonean residents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their support to the Pilgrims since their arrival, particularly, the students in Medinah and the 'Dawah' Committee in Riyadh led by Dr. Ahmad Ramadan Jalloh and Sheik Bailah Bah respectively who have been carrying out 'Dawah' ac tivities to the Pilgrims .
On behalf of the women, Haja Marie Sesay, thanked the Ernest Koroma led- APC government for its concern about their welfare. We feel proud and delighted for our leader to express his concerns and sending us messages through his Foreign Minister. We promise to pray for him and the country."
On behalf of the men, Alhaji Gibril Kamara, prayed for the President and the country. He also thanked the Sierra Leone Embassy in Riyadh for its cooperation and support since their arrival.
On behalf of the Students and 'Dawah' Committee, Dr. Ramadan Jalloh and Sheik Baila Bah said they were delightedly pleased for the recognition and support given to them by both the Embassy and Pilgrims.
They promised to give their support at all times. "We are always ready to render our unflinching support to our country. Our duty to Sierra Leone is unlimited." Dr. Jalloh and Sheik Bah told their audience.
Meanwhile, Zainab Bangura and delegation that are here on the auspices of the Royal Protocol Department this week completed their 5-day Hajj rituals in holy the sites of Mecca, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. They are expected to leave this week for Freetown.
