JEDDAH: The General Presidency of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has rejected news reports of a “ban” on Qatari pilgrims, calling them fake.
A statement said that the directives of the Saudi leadership confirm the provision of services and facilitating procedures for all pilgrims around the world, including Qatari pilgrims.
The statement added that what is being circulated on social media about banning Qatari pilgrims from entering the Grand Mosque is false.
“Since 9/9/1438 (June 4), the Kingdom has received 1,633 Qatari pilgrims who performed Umrah,” the statement said.
The statement was issued after a significant increase of false news on some social networking sites that the Kingdom’s decision to cut ties with Doha is affecting pilgrims from Qatar.
The presidency affirmed that Qataris are performing their rituals and worship at the Grand Mosque at ease and are benefiting from all the services provided by the Saudi government at the two holy mosques.
The presidency called on media to double check and ask authorities before publishing anything.
Alleged fake news items have been reported by Qatar’s state-run broadcaster Al Jazeera, which claimed that Saudi authorities have prevented Qatari nationals from entering the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
Reports of ‘ban’ on Qatari pilgrims termed fake
Reports of ‘ban’ on Qatari pilgrims termed fake
Saudi Arabia pays Yemeni government $346.6m to meet salary shortfall
- The payment is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing work to promote stability and development for the Yemenis
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has provided $346.6 million (1.3 blln SAR) to help pay Yemeni government employees the massive shortfall in their salaries.
The payment, under a ruling by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, was delivered through the Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY).
The payment is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing work to promote stability and development for the Yemenis, the SDRPY said in a statement released on its X.com account.
The statement added that the initiative aimed to strengthen economic, financial and monetary stability in Yemen, enhance the capacity of government institutions, improve governance and transparency, and enable the private sector to drive sustainable economic growth.
Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council chairman Rashad Al-Alimi thanked the Saudi royals for the support, describing it as an extension of the Kingdom’s longstanding support for the Yemeni people.
And Al-Alimi said the support sent a message of confidence in Yemen’s path of recovery as well as the in the government’s ability to strengthen national institutions and reinforce security and stability.
Adding that Yemen’s ongoing partnership with Saudi Arabia represented an important choice for a more stable future.
And he called for a unified effort to support the reconstruction of the country’s instituions, as well as improve living conditions and advance economic and social development.
