After Syria's conflict erupted in 2011, Saudi Arabia cut ties with Assad and backed numbers opposed to him including by granting Syria's opposition thousands of visas to be distributed among Syrian pilgrims in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey But Riyadhre-established ties with Assad last time and in May appointed its first envoy to Syria since the rift.
Direct breakouts also proceeded, allowing pilgrims to head straight from Damascus to Jeddah to perform the Haj, considered a religious duty for all Muslims that must be carried out at least formerly in their continuance if they're able. " I am extremely happy. I still can not believe that I'll share in Haj," Berlanta Dimashqiya, an 84- time-old occupant of Damascus, said.
While some Syrians living in government- held areas had been suitable to attend the Haj in once times by taking breakouts with stopovers, similar long passages had proved too emphatic for numerous senior people. Huda AbuSha'ar said she had felt a" big joy" when she heard direct breakouts had renewed.
She had precisely prepared her bag, including a distance of paper with a long list of prayers that her cousins has asked her to make on their behalf in the holy megacity of Mecca At least 7,000 Syrians have formerly flown to Mecca since the breakouts proceeded , Bassem Mansour, the director- general of the Syrian Civil Aviation authority.