Hajj pilgrims at the Grand Mosque, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, September 27, 2014. Photo/Reuters
The reasons are varied, but most often due to political tensions. Here are the countries whose citizens were once banned by Saudi Arabia from performing Hajj due to political tensions.
1.Canada
In 2018, Saudi Arabia suspended all international activities. For example, Saudi Arabia banned airlines flying to and from Toronto, Canada.
This then canceled thousands of Canadian pilgrims who wanted to go to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj.
This tension began when Saudi Arabia arrested a number of Canadian human rights activists. In response to this, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs criticized this action.
Saudi Arabia then responded by expelling the Canadian ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Here, Saudi Arabia considers that Canada’s behavior amounts to interference in its internal affairs.
2. Syria
Saudi Arabia once banned Syrians from setting foot in Mecca to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.
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