Saudi Arabia sponsors Ugandan pilgrims

In-charge of royal embassy. Bander Mohammed Al-Faifi

What you need to know:

  • Head of police counter-terrorism unit Abas Byakagaba said they are very grateful to the government of Saudi Arabia for considering them to be part of the pilgrimage since they always on duty.

The Embassy of Saudi Arabia has offered 10 Ugandans an all-expense paid trip for this year’s annual pilgrimage to Mecca and Madina.
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and a Muslim believer is required to make the pilgrimage at least once in his or her lifetime.

Hajj activities include; running around the holy house (Kaa’bah) and between the hills of Safa and Marwa seven times which is approximately to 3.15 kilometres and slaughtering animals. Speaking at the flagging off of the Muslims at their cultural centre in Kampala yesterday, the-in-charge of Royal embassy Bander Mohammed Al-Faifi, said every year the government of Saudi Arabia offers special hajj to Muslims across the world.

“This year our main focus was on the countries which have been experiencing political instabilities and that is Yemen and South Sudan. We expect more than 1,000 and 2,000 pilgrims from these countries, respectively,” he said.
Mr Al- Faifi also revealed that pilgrims, who are supported by the Saudi embassy with a fully paid pilgrim worth Shs17 millions, will visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as special guests to the king of Saudi Arabia, Salman Bin Abdulaziz.

The secretary-in-charge of religious affairs at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council Sheikh Muhammed Buwembo was selected to lead the groups.
Sheikh Buwembo commended the government of Saudi Arabia for considering Uganda to be one of the invited countries to their royal palace.
“We pledge to be law abiding as we will be guided by our mentors and we expect to perform all the rituals required to fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam,” he said.

Head of police counter-terrorism unit Abas Byakagaba said they are very grateful to the government of Saudi Arabia for considering them to be part of the pilgrimage since they always on duty.
Secretary general of Uganda Bureau of Hajj Affairs Zakariya Kyewalyanga said this year they expect to take more than 900 Muslims and they are paying between Shs15m and Shs17 million. The first bunch of Muslims set off on Monday.