South Sudan’s High Islamic Council Secretary-General Tahir Bior announced on Wednesday that this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca of Saudi Arabia for South Sudanese Muslim community is cancelled.

Bior said in a press conference in Juba that their members will not be able to go for this year’s Hajj because the process of visas has been delayed.

“The process needs payment of money and the lack of a South Sudanese Embassy in Saudi Arabia has also exacerbated the problem,” he said.

Tahir attributed the cancellation to the delay of money donated by President Kiir, besides the small number of Muslims who applied for pilgrimage this year, saying the number of applicants is 26 only including 13 foreigners.

 “The president donated about $200,000 to the Islamic Council during last Ramadan breakfast,” he said.

He blamed the Office of the Advisor on Religious Affairs in the Office of the President for the delay of money offered to the Muslims.

“Is the Muslim community not part and parcel of South Sudan’s social fabric and don’t they deserve to get what was promised by the president?” he asked.

The Islamic leader called upon the president to appoint an advisor for Muslims’ affairs in the presidency, while calling on those who applied for this year’s pilgrimage to take back their money as the program was cancelled.