ISLAMABAD, 4 October 2006 — The Saudi Embassy in Pakistan will issue visas to Chinese Muslims for Haj.
Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Awadh Asseri, after consultation with Chinese officials, told reporters that the visas would be issued for Haj in January.
Hundreds of Chinese Muslims, mostly ethnic Uighurs from western China, have been visiting the embassy since quite some time.
“They have Chinese passports, Pakistani visas and they are on the doorstep of Saudi Embassy so really we don’t have any other choice than to treat this issue on humanitarian grounds,” Asseri said.
When the decision was announced to the throng outside the embassy gates it sparked a wave of joy. Many people sobbed in happiness.
“I’m very happy. These people are poor and their only wish is to perform Haj,” Nabi Jan, a middle-aged man from China’s Xinjiang province, said.
“We pray for everyone,” a young woman wearing a head-to-toe veil shouted.
The Chinese Muslims have been coming to Islamabad for many years to collect visas for Haj, but in May China advised Saudi Arabia not to issue visas in third countries.
While relenting this year, the Saudi ambassador said in future all visas should be processed through the embassy in Beijing.
The Saudi Embassy had earlier told the Chinese to either seek visa from the country of their origin or furnish sufficient guarantees through their embassy that they would return after performing Haj.
An official at the Saudi Embassy told Arab News earlier, “We follow standard procedures. These people should either apply for visa in their own country or route their visa applications through their embassy located in Islamabad.”
Another official said, “Our government allocates quotas for pilgrims from all countries. We stick to the rules to discourage people from overstaying in the Kingdom.”
