Gulf Noncooperation Council: UAE-Saudi Rift Heats Up, Literally, in Ramadan
"I left Mecca with my wife and four children and drove a long way toward the border. When we reached the border we were told we must go back to far-away Riyadh…..Where is the Gulf cooperation in this? How can they treat pilgrims like this?.....”
An abrupt Saudi measure canceling an arrangement with the UAE whereby the citizens of the two countries crossed the border using a simple national ID card has caused hardships for many Emaratis. Emirate media and websites report that many of their citizens are stranded because they went into Saudi Arabia with the ID card but cannot return with the card. Apparently the “princes” did not think of the stranded travelers and did not order that they be allowed to return home with the ID card. Or maybe they did.
Saudis have requested that all UAE citizens who want to return home must go back to the capital Riyadh and get special card from their embassy before being allowed to cross back home. Riyadh is about 1,000 KM from the border and in the best of times not a pleasant place to start with.
Saudi media have studiously ignored this interesting news, as have Saudi satellite in the media of one or two other Persian Gulf countries. They are afraid of offending Prince Whatshisface.
UAE citizens, needless to say, are pissed off, big time.
(What the hell did these people go there for besides the Omra (off season Haj)?
On the other hand, what about the Saudis visiting the UAE? I guess they go on the wagon during Ramadan.
Cheers and Ramadan Kareem
mhg
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