The South Sudan Islamic Council on Thursday announced the start of registration and preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.
Hajj season in Islam refers to the specific sacred period each year when Muslims perform Hajj, the major pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia.
Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is obligatory once in a lifetime for every adult Muslim who is physically and financially able.
The Hajj pilgrimage in 2026 (1447 AH) is expected to begin in late May 2026, with the main ritual days running from about May 25 to May 30, 2026, though the exact start depends on the sighting of the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at a press conference in Juba, Abdullah Baraj, the secretary-general of the Islamic Council, said the total cost for the pilgrimage has been set at $5,000.
“The Hajj will cost $5,000. This covers the air ticket, accommodation, visa and feeding,” Baraj said.
According to Baraj, the amount will cater for registration, airfare, accommodation, meals and visa expenses throughout the Hajj period in Saudi Arabia.
He stressed that registration will be open only to South Sudanese nationals. Requirements include a valid South Sudanese passport, a medical fitness certificate and other necessary documents. Applicants must also be between 18 and 60 years old.
“The Hajj is only for South Sudanese, and we encourage South Sudanese Muslims to register,” Baraj said. He added that South Sudanese Muslims both inside and outside the country are encouraged to take part.
Hassan Rahamatullah, executive director of the Hajj Affairs Office in South Sudan, said the country has about 1,000 slots for pilgrims, depending on the number of people who register.
He further reiterated his office’s readiness to receive applicants in the coming days, starting from the announced registration period.
Muslims make up a small minority of South Sudan’s population, accounting for an estimated about 6% of the country’s roughly 12 million people, according to demographic and religious studies.