Okaz/Saudi Gazette HOLY SITES — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been providing all pilgrims, including Yemenis, all services and facilities to ensure that they perform Haj with comfort and ease, said Yemeni undersecretary, Ministry of Guidance and Endowments. "Over 21,000 Yemeni pilgrims were granted Haj visas this year, thanks to the Saudi government. Houthi rebel groups put up some obstacles in an attempt to prevent Yemeni pilgrims from performing Haj. They delayed processing of Haj documents and suspended banking services. However, the legitimate government in Yemen overcame these difficulties and foiled all plots hatched by Houthi rebels to stop pilgrims, although many of the pilgrims were blackmailed and mistreated by Houthis during their travel," he said. Over 130 persons who lost one or more members of their families in the war against Houthi rebels performed Haj. In addition, more than 150 men who were injured while fighting alongside the legitimate government troops were allowed to perform Haj this year. Most of them were treated at Saudi hospitals. "We hope that the Kingdom and the Yemeni legitimate government will bring the families of martyrs to Makkah to perform Haj in the upcoming years," he said. Hadiya Ghalees, a Yemeni human rights activist whose son was killed in Taaz, said she was happy to perform Haj and be among pilgrims but was sad at the same time at the conflict that has torn Yemen apart. "We thank the Saudi government for everything they do for pilgrims and all the facilities they provide to protect and guard the safety of all pilgrims," she said.
