Open Saudi border route: Haj pilgrims

As we write, more than two million pilgrims from across the world have converged on Makkah and Madina, Islam's two holiest cities gearing up for Haj which will begin from Thursday.

Pilgrims from Oman, including the Oman Haj Mission led by Sheikh Issa bin Yousef Al Busaidy, have already reached there. And like every year, this year too pilgrims are raising the issue of the opening of the Omani-Saudi border.

Mohammed Arsalan, an employee in Muscat, embarked on Haj last year by bus. He says, "It was a tedious journey spanning a few thousand kilometres and which took about 37 hours. Moreover, we had to wait for hours together at Omani-UAE and UAE-Saudi borders."

Mohammed Arsalan is of the opinion that the Omani-Saudi border should be open so that people can go for Haj using this route as it will curtail travelling hours, avoiding rush at the Omani-UAE border.

The Sultanate and Saudi Arabia had agreed to establish a border point in order to facilitate transportation and enhance trade relations. The work on border points, Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) entry point on the Saudi side and Ramlat Khaliya entry point on the Omani side, was started in eagerness. The road journey from Muscat to Makkah through the UAE takes about 38-40 hours. People wonder why they need to go through the UAE when Oman is linked by land to Saudi Arabia.

From Oman side, the 142-km Ramlat Khaliya connecting Oman (from Ibri) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was officially opened way back in 2005, but the highway on the Saudi side is awaiting clearance by the Saudi authorities. Saudi embassy officials have time and again said it would take some more time to throw open the border.

Direct entry
Ahmed Masiuddin, incharge of Haj and Umrah at the Moon Travels LLC, said, "The opening of Omani-Saudi Arabia border will go a long way in facilitating travel, especially for Umrah and Haj, and also for business. Instead of travelling through the UAE, once opened the Ramlat Khaila will give a direct entry from Oman into Saudi Arabia. The Saudi authorities should consider it as a priority and make it a reality as soon as possible."

Saleh Al Mahrouqi, a pilgrim, said he has travelled for Umrah and Haj many a times and the amount of time spent at the UAE and the Saudi border was too much and the distance was also more. "So, the sooner the Omani-Saudi border is opened the better."
It is believed that at least eight to 10 hours of travelling time will be reduced if the Omani-Saudi border is open to the public instead of taking a detour through the UAE.

For those travelling to Saudi, the journey from Muscat passes through Sohar, Buraimi, Wadi Jizzi, entering the UAE at Shukla border and exiting the UAE at Al Guwaifat border post reaching Saudi Arabia at Batha.

The opening of border post between Oman and Saudi Arabia will cut the journey time by at least six hours and help avoiding wasting a few hours at the UAE border. There is also great possibility of business along the route. Ahmed said, "We can avoid waiting six hours at the UAE border and save 700km of driving, thus saving approximately 12 hours. It will also enable a cost cutting as pilgrims will be able to save the UAE border fees."