Doha welcomes Saudi decree to open border for Qatari pilgrims

CAIRO – 17 August 2017: Qatar Foreign Minister Mohammad Bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani welcomed on Thursday a Saudi decision to open border crossing for Qatari Pilgrims, according to AFP.

This came following King Saman’s Wednesday initiative to open Salwa Land Crossing border for pilgrims coming from Qatar to perform Hajj this year, according to Saudi Press Agency.

The King also ordered to send Saudi Arabian Airlines planes to Doha to transport all Qatari pilgrims directly at his expense, despite of the kingdom’s June decision to place a trade and air embargo on Qatar.

“Amid the current political situation with Doha, the Saudi government welcomes the pilgrims from all countries of the world, including those coming from Qatar,” Ministry of Hajj stated in a statement released in late July, adding that the authorities allow those who are lawfully approved for Hajj to enter into the kingdom lands via all airlines except those registered with Qatar Airways.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates along with Egypt and Bahrain decided on June 5 to severe diplomatic and trade relations with Doha, closing their mutual land borders and air spaces.

The neighboring Arab states decision came after accusations of Qatar’s support for terrorism surfaced.

Saudi Arabia is currently bracing for the once-in-a-year pilgrimage season, whose rituals are regularly performed in Mecca and Medina.