A meeting took place on July 28, 2026, in Riyadh between Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Barrie, and Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh. The discussion centered on strengthening cooperation in Islamic affairs. Both delegations emphasized the importance of authentic Islamic teachings and education in combating violent extremism. They also noted their commitment to promoting religious moderation and fostering peaceful coexistence between communities.
Expanding Educational and Dawah Initiatives
Discussions between Sierra Leone and Saudi Arabia explored strengthening training programmes for Imams, Islamic scholars, and preachers. Opportunities to improve Islamic education in Sierra Leone were also discussed, focusing on increased technical support and capacity-building initiatives. The two nations addressed the provision of authentic Islamic educational materials and additional copies of the Holy Qur’an to support these efforts. The deliberations noted the potential for scholarly exchanges between Sierra Leone and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aiming to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation in Islamic affairs. These initiatives are part of a broader push to enhance religious education and outreach programs in Sierra Leone.
Hajj Scholarships and Mosque Development
Cooperation between Sierra Leone and Saudi Arabia also included discussions on the construction and rehabilitation of mosques within Sierra Leone. Ambassador Mohamed Barrie expressed Sierra Leone’s appreciation for its inclusion in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Hajj scholarship programme. Additionally, a request was made for consideration of an increase in Hajj scholarships for Sierra Leonean pilgrims. Sierra Leone also sought an expansion of the scholarship programme to include the Umrah pilgrimage. These initiatives aim to strengthen religious infrastructure and provide more opportunities for Sierra Leonean Muslims to undertake religious journeys.
Formalizing Future Collaboration
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will establish a formal framework for the implementation of joint programs and projects in Islamic affairs. Sierra Leone's Embassy in Riyadh is expected to submit a full outline detailing priority areas for future collaboration between the two nations. The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance will then review these proposals. This review process aims to identify practical and actionable areas for partnership, facilitating the formalization of cooperative efforts discussed during recent engagements.
Broader Context and Vision
The meeting between Ambassador Mohamed Barrie and Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh occurred at the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs headquarters in Riyadh. Discussions between the two nations concentrated on broadening collaboration in Islamic education, Dawah, capacity building, and the advancement of moderation, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. Sierra Leone and Saudi Arabia agreed to explore the potential development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize these efforts. Ambassador Mohamed Barrie delivered greetings from the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Additionally, Ambassador Barrie extended an invitation to the Imams of the Two Holy Mosques and other prominent Saudi Islamic scholars to visit Sierra Leone. The Calabash Newspaper, established in 2017, reported that it is "Sierra Leone's leading English-language news platform...to provide trusted news, investigative journalism, politics, business, health, sports, and current affairs to audiences in Sierra Leone and around the world."