One hundred South Sudanese Muslims left Juba Monday to perform the Hajj, the Muslim traditional pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Muslim pilgrims gather every year in Mecca to perform rituals based on those conducted by the prophet Muhammad.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj upon their way to Mecca, Mohammed Gai, Secretary General of Charity Organization, said that the Saudi Arabian government every year organizes a trip for South Sudanese Muslims, including free tickets and accommodation.

“This is now our fourth trip to Mecca because each year the Saudi government offers space for South Sudanese Muslim going to Mecca," Gai said. "Since the separation of our independence from Sudan we became different from everybody from Sudan [who have] direct link to Mecca."

Gai said the pilgrimage will take ten days in Mecca before returning to Juba.

Radio Tamazuj photo: South Sudanese Muslims board their flight to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj.

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