Sudanese MPs report Hajj Mission fraud

14/10/2016 12:40 KHARTOUM

Members of the Sudanese Parliament have reported fraudulent practices concerning the official Sudanese Hajj Mission during the annual Muslim pilgrimage in September.
MPs said that at least six federal Ministers and State Ministers have performed their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia last month at the expenses of the State.
The official Sudanese Hajj [pilgrimage] Mission members received travel and accommodation allowances ranging from 50,000 to 60,000 Saudi Riyals ($13,300-16,000). A number of pilgrims accompanied them on the basis of their personal relationships with members of the Mission.
In late September, independent MP Salah Ahmed El Nur complained that a delegation of six federal Ministers and State Ministers and two staff members had travelled to Mecca to represent the Sudanese government at a cost of €7,000 per person.
“This is a waste of public money and is illegal,” he said, suggesting that ordinary pilgrims should have been chosen to represent Sudan rather than a government delegation.

Members of the Sudanese Parliament have reported fraudulent practices concerning the official Sudanese Hajj Mission during the annual Muslim pilgrimage in September.

MPs said that at least six federal Ministers and State Ministers have performed their Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia last month at the expenses of the State.

The official Sudanese Hajj [pilgrimage] Mission members received travel and accommodation allowances ranging from 50,000 to 60,000 Saudi Riyals ($13,300-16,000). A number of pilgrims accompanied them on the basis of their personal relationships with members of the Mission.

In late September, independent MP Salah Ahmed El Nur complained that a delegation of six federal Ministers and State Ministers and two staff members had travelled to Mecca to represent the Sudanese government at a cost of €7,000 per person.

“This is a waste of public money and is illegal,” he said, suggesting that ordinary pilgrims should have been chosen to represent Sudan rather than a government delegation.