Saudi gives Syria opposition right to name pilgrims

Saudi Arabia has decided to give Syria's opposition National Coalition the right to process applications of Syrians wishing to perform the haj pilgrimage to Mecca in autumn, an official said today.
The kingdom handled last year's haj visa applications without cooperating with Damascus.
But Riyadh has now decided that the opposition council is "entitled to issue haj permits for the Syrians," haj ministry spokesman Hatem Qadi told AFP.
He said Saudi authorities took the decision after a coalition delegation visited the haj ministry.
This year's pilgrimage falls in October.
The move shows the kingdom's eagerness to give further legitimacy to Syria's opposition.

Last year, Damascus said Riyadh barred Syrian pilgrims from the haj, claiming Saudi authorities did not sign the necessary accord.

But Saudi Arabia rejected the accusation, saying King Abdullah ordered consulates in countries neighbouring Syria to facilitate visas for Syrians wishing to perform the haj.
The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be performed at least once in a lifetime by those who are able to make the journey to Mecca.
Every Muslim country has a haj quota of 1,000 pilgrims per million inhabitants.
Like many Arab countries, Saudi Arabia has cut ties with Syria's government and called on President Bashar al-Assad to leave power.