Saudi Arabia to Open Border, Airports to Qatari Hajj Pilgrims
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut transport links with Qatar in June and imposed sanctions, accusing it of supporting militants and Iran, which Doha denies.
The state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said the Salwa border point would be open for Qataris making the Hajj, which this year runs from late August to early September.
Saudi Arabia had said Qatari pilgrims would not be affected by the travel restrictions, but some Qataris have said they faced difficulties organizing the trip.
Qatari pilgrims can pass through the crossing without the permits usually needed to be obtained in advance for the haj, SPA said, Reuters reported.
The Saudi king has ordered the dispatch of a Saudi Airlines plane to fly Qatari pilgrims to Jeddah at his own expense, SPA said. Qatari pilgrims would also be able to pass through two of the Kingdom's airports, SPA said.
Qatar had accused Saudi Arabia of politicizing the pilgrimage and complained to the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion last month.
Hajj is an annual pilgrimage that every able-bodied and financially able Muslim is obliged to undertake during their lifetime.
There will be 1.3 million pilgrims from different countries as well as 567,000 Saudi pilgrims taking part in the ritual.
