٠٠:٠٣:٥٣Hundreds of Syrian pilgrims flocked to Damascus International Airport to travel to Saudi Arabia for their first Hajj trip in nearly 12 years, following the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that footage captured the pilgrims entering the airport, gathering in the waiting hall, and boarding Syrian Airlines aircraft.
Engineer Anis Fallouh, director of Damascus International Airport, noted that all airport staff are working extended hours to ensure smooth travel arrangements and prevent flight delays. On Tuesday, he mentioned that the second batch of 256 pilgrims was being monitored as they prepared to depart on Syrian Airlines.
One traveller expressed immense joy, stating, "I feel great; there is no sensation greater than this one. Praise be to God; may He preserve this grace from vanishing. May God bless you along with the President.”
Syrian Airlines initiated its first Hajj flight on May 28, carrying 270 pilgrims from Damascus International Airport to Jeddah Airport. Flights are scheduled to continue until June 10.
Flights between Syria and Saudi Arabia had been suspended since 2012 after Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states severed diplomatic ties with Syria, protesting the Syrian government's crackdown on protests against President Bashar al-Assad in 2011. However, in February 2023, Riyadh re-established diplomatic relations with Damascus, with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud stating that isolating Syria was impractical and that dialogue was necessary.
President Bashar al-Assad attended the Arab League summit in Jeddah in May 2023. On May 26, Saudi Arabia appointed Faisal bin Saud al-Majfal as its first ambassador to Syria, months after announcing the resumption of diplomatic relations in October, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
'No sensation greater than this one' - Syrian pilgrims head to Mecca for first time since 2012 after resuming diplomatic relations with KSA
Hundreds of Syrian pilgrims flocked to Damascus International Airport to travel to Saudi Arabia for their first Hajj trip in nearly 12 years, following the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that footage captured the pilgrims entering the airport, gathering in the waiting hall, and boarding Syrian Airlines aircraft.
Engineer Anis Fallouh, director of Damascus International Airport, noted that all airport staff are working extended hours to ensure smooth travel arrangements and prevent flight delays. On Tuesday, he mentioned that the second batch of 256 pilgrims was being monitored as they prepared to depart on Syrian Airlines.
One traveller expressed immense joy, stating, "I feel great; there is no sensation greater than this one. Praise be to God; may He preserve this grace from vanishing. May God bless you along with the President.”
Syrian Airlines initiated its first Hajj flight on May 28, carrying 270 pilgrims from Damascus International Airport to Jeddah Airport. Flights are scheduled to continue until June 10.
Flights between Syria and Saudi Arabia had been suspended since 2012 after Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states severed diplomatic ties with Syria, protesting the Syrian government's crackdown on protests against President Bashar al-Assad in 2011. However, in February 2023, Riyadh re-established diplomatic relations with Damascus, with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud stating that isolating Syria was impractical and that dialogue was necessary.
President Bashar al-Assad attended the Arab League summit in Jeddah in May 2023. On May 26, Saudi Arabia appointed Faisal bin Saud al-Majfal as its first ambassador to Syria, months after announcing the resumption of diplomatic relations in October, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Hundreds of Syrian pilgrims flocked to Damascus International Airport to travel to Saudi Arabia for their first Hajj trip in nearly 12 years, following the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that footage captured the pilgrims entering the airport, gathering in the waiting hall, and boarding Syrian Airlines aircraft.
Engineer Anis Fallouh, director of Damascus International Airport, noted that all airport staff are working extended hours to ensure smooth travel arrangements and prevent flight delays. On Tuesday, he mentioned that the second batch of 256 pilgrims was being monitored as they prepared to depart on Syrian Airlines.
One traveller expressed immense joy, stating, "I feel great; there is no sensation greater than this one. Praise be to God; may He preserve this grace from vanishing. May God bless you along with the President.”
Syrian Airlines initiated its first Hajj flight on May 28, carrying 270 pilgrims from Damascus International Airport to Jeddah Airport. Flights are scheduled to continue until June 10.
Flights between Syria and Saudi Arabia had been suspended since 2012 after Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states severed diplomatic ties with Syria, protesting the Syrian government's crackdown on protests against President Bashar al-Assad in 2011. However, in February 2023, Riyadh re-established diplomatic relations with Damascus, with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud stating that isolating Syria was impractical and that dialogue was necessary.
President Bashar al-Assad attended the Arab League summit in Jeddah in May 2023. On May 26, Saudi Arabia appointed Faisal bin Saud al-Majfal as its first ambassador to Syria, months after announcing the resumption of diplomatic relations in October, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).