South Sudan’s Islamic Council has announced the start of the registration period for the Hajj pilgrimage for citizens and residents in the country.
Hajj is an annual religious pilgrimage to Mecca undertaken each year by millions of Muslims from all over the world. This year’s Hajj occurs from approximately June 26, 2023, to July 1, 2023. Umrah is a pilgrimage that can be completed at any time of the year.
Hajj is the fifth pillar and the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity in the world.
Sheikh Abdallah Baraj, the Secretary General of the South Sudan Islamic Council and Head of the Bureau of Hajj Affairs said at a press conference in Juba on Friday that the registration period of Hajj and Umrah has begun.
According to Sheikh Baraj, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has given all Muslims in South Sudan 1,360 opportunities.
“Our role as the Islamic Council is to facilitate the process for those who are interested. Citizens and residents are eligible to apply,” Sheikh Baraj said.
“The opportunity for registration is open for a month from morning until 4 pm, so those who have the financial ability and are interested can come for registration and pay the fees,” he added.
Any interested person is expected to pay 5,700 US dollars, Sheikh Baraj said.
“The 5,700 US dollars will cater for your travel and other costs until you return to South Sudan. We encourage those who are interested to hurry up and register at our offices,” he said.” We are ready to process the visas and work on the other requirements for the pilgrimage, and we are ready for your queries at any time.”
The council’s secretary general said they have not yet received any government sponsorship for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.” If the President decides to sponsor some Muslims, that will be very good, but we are yet to receive something from the office of the president. All the states have Islamic council offices, so those who are interested can go and register there, and the priority will be given to South Sudanese citizens,” he added.
The majority of South Sudanese follow Christianity or traditional religions but an estimated 6% of the population is Muslim, according to recent research.