The financial costs of the Hajj procedures for the year 1445 Hijri have increased for those wishing to perform the pilgrimage this year, the Supreme Council for Hajj and Umrah in Sudan has said.
On Thursday, the council announced the commencement of the Hajj procedures for the year 1445 Hijri.
According to the council, the Hajj costs for the year amount to more than 6 billion Sudanese pounds for those departing via air flights, while the costs of Hajj via maritime trips exceed 5 billion Sudanese pounds.
The council also announced differences in Hajj costs between one state and another, attributing it to transportation issues.
The council attributed the increase in costs to the rise in the exchange rate of the Saudi riyal against the Sudanese pound.
The number of Sudanese pilgrims reached around 13,000 last year out of a total quota estimated at 32,000.
Radio Tamazuj interviewed several Sudanese citizens about this year’s increase in Hajj costs.
Sudanese citizen Abdullah Hassan said that the costs of Hajj this year are very high, adding that this year’s Hajj faces significant challenges due to the high costs. He said the costs may force some individuals to reconsider completing the procedures.
Meanwhile, Sudanese citizen Mohammed Suleiman also corroborated the same arguments, adding that the procedures and costs of Hajj this year are very high.
He suggested freezing the Hajj for this year and redirecting its funds to refugees and internally displaced persons.