Khartoum, May 23 (Darfur24)
Several pilgrims from South Darfur State said the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) detained them in the Kordofan region and prevented them from traveling to areas controlled by the Sudanese army to complete Hajj procedures.
Hajj Abdullah Ishaq told Darfur24 that he completed all Hajj arrangements through the South Darfur Hajj mission in army-controlled areas, including sending his passport and paying the required fees. However, after reaching Hamra al-Sheikh, he was detained and sent back to the Khazan Jadid area.
He said the RSF justified the decision by prohibiting travel to the Northern State, though he was eventually allowed to return due to his advanced age.
Another pilgrim, Ahmed Bush, said he completed his travel procedures through his son in eastern Sudan but was detained for more than a week in Ghabish, West Kordofan, before being released after paying a fine.
Bush said he later managed to reach army-controlled areas, but by then the Hajj delegation had already departed for Saudi Arabia.
A third pilgrim, speaking anonymously, said he withdrew from performing Hajj this year despite paying all fees because of insecurity and harassment along routes controlled by both parties to the conflict.
“The harassment on the roads and in the areas controlled by both sides has made citizens pay a heavy price,” he told Darfur24.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Atta Al-Bari, Secretary-General of Hajj and Umrah in South Darfur, noted that only 48 pilgrims from the state managed to reach Saudi Arabia this year despite 298 applicants registering for Hajj.
He explained that the successful pilgrims undertook a three-week journey through Chad and South Sudan after completing their procedures.
Atta Al-Bari said several pilgrims were detained in Hamra al-Sheikh and Ghabish while attempting to travel to army-controlled states to finalize Hajj arrangements, adding that some were reportedly robbed of money, phones, and personal belongings.
He added that special measures were taken to facilitate travel for Darfur pilgrims due to the security situation, including expedited passport issuance and onboard medical examinations before departure.
According to Atta Al-Bari, all pilgrims traveled by sea for 13.7 million Sudanese pounds, while none were able to travel by air because of the higher cost of 18 million pounds.
He also noted that accommodations, food services, and medical care had been arranged for pilgrims in Medina.