Qatar worried about pilgrims’ safety in Saudi Arabia: FM

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani says his country is concerned about the safety of its citizens in Saudi Arabia during the annual Hajj pilgrimage after Riyadh’s move to reopen its border with Doha.

Speaking at a news conference during his visit to Norway, Thani said Saudi authorities have not yet responded to queries from Qatar’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs regarding the security of Qatari citizens during the Hajj rituals.

“The level of tension between the two nations, the language and the tone of the Saudi media spreading hatred against Qatari people represents a great concern for us," he said.

“Those people crossing the border right now are under the responsibility of the Saudi authorities for their security and safety," the foreign minister added.

He noted that "more than 100" Qatari pilgrims had crossed since the reopening of border on Thursday.

Qatar has welcomed Saudi Arabia's decision to reopen the Salwa border crossing, also known as Abu Samrah, to Hajj pilgrims, but called it “politically motivated.”

The key passage for Muslims on the annual Hajj pilgrimage has been closed since June in a major diplomatic crisis that saw Saudi Arabia and its regional allies cut relations with Qatar.

SS