MPs call on Saudi Arabia to restore pilgrimage visas for Palestinians

AMMAN — The Lower House Palestine Committee, chaired by MP Yahya Saud, held a meeting on Sunday to discuss the “cessation” of Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage visas by Saudi Arabia for Muslims from the 1948-territories and the Gaza Strip.

The Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Abdul Nasser Abul Bassal, and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior Raed Adwan attended the meeting, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Saud called on the authorities in Saudi Arabia to “facilitate the entry of Muslims from the 1948-territories and the Gaza Strip wishing to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia”, praising at the same time the great role of Saudi Arabia towards the Palestinian issue.

Abul Bassal said that a visit by a Jordanian delegation to Saudi Arabia will be arranged to discuss the reasons for barring Palestinians holding temporary Jordanian passports from undertaking the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.