Saudi Arabia denies blocking Syrians from Hajj
Sep 19, 2012, 3:03 PM
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) – Saudi Arabia has denied allegations that Syrians will not be able to perform the annual Muslim pilgrimage of Hajj this year because of a conflict with Damascus.
The Saudi Hajj Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that preparations to receive Syrian pilgrims are being processed and are highly considered because of the “difficult circumstances” Syrians currently face.
The statement follows a report Monday by Syria’s state-run news agency that Syrians would not be able to perform the Hajj because Saudi authorities had failed to agree on details in time.
Countries normally agree on numbers of worshippers to make the pilgrimage ahead of time.
Syria-Saudi relations have deteriorated over Damascus’ accusations that the kingdom is helping the rebels seeking to topple President Bashar Assad.
Millions of Muslims participate in the pilgrimage.
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