Saudi Border with Qatar to be Reopened for Hajj

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has ordered the border with Qatar be reopened to allow pilgrims to carry out their annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

The decision came after the kingdom received an envoy from Doha for the first time since Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates severed ties with Qatar in June.

King Salman also ordered that private jets belonging to Saudi airlines be sent to Doha airport “to bring all Qatari pilgrims at his expense”.

Last month, Qatar accused the Saudis of politicising Hajj and addressed the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion, expressing concern about obstacles facing Qataris wanting to attend Hajj.

Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies shut down air, maritime and land links with Qatar, and imposed economic sanctions, after accusing Doha of supporting terrorism and of being too close to Iran.

Qatar denies the charges and has accused its Gulf neighbours of seeking to strangle its economy.

The tiny emirate with a population of 2.6 million, 80% of them foreigners, ranks as the world’s richest on a per-capita basis, according to the International Monetary Fund.

It holds a staggering $330 billion in a sovereign wealth fund, with assets heavily invested abroad.

Courtesy : .rte