Manama: Sierra Leone’s Information and Communication Minister has become an internet hero in Saudi Arabia after he was pictured wearing the ghutra and agal, the traditional Saudi headdress, during official meetings in the kingdom.
Mohammad Bangura who was a member of the delegation accompanying Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Korom on state visit to Saudi Arabia this week, was seen attending the meeting with King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz in Jeddah wearing the distinguished Saudi ghutra and agal.
He also wore the traditional Saudi headdress during a meeting with his Saudi counterpart Awad Bin Saleh Al Awad.
Bangura said that he felt comfortable wearing the traditional Saudi attire and that he considered it a source of pride, Saudi daily Okaz reported.
The minister said that several people in Sierra Leone liked wearing the Saudi thobe and considered it a link with their religion, Islam.
Bangura added that an additional advantage of wearing the Saudi attire was that it brought him closer to the Saudi culture.
Within hours of the posting of the pictures on the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) website, social media users paid rich tribute to Bangura, thanking him for his “noble sentiments and great feelings.”
“I salute in you the brave man who wears the clothes and eats the food of the country he visits,” a user writing under the moniker of Konooz.
Another user said he immensely appreciated that the Sierra Leonean minister had great respect for the local attire.
“He likes it and he shows that he likes it. Thank you.”
Another told Bangura: “You have our full respect for your attitude. May God bless you.”
