TEHRAN – In a pleasantly surprising move, the authorities in Saudi Arabiaare currently discussing abolishing visas with another Muslim country,deemed rival a few months ago.
Saudi Arabia harbors a history of tough ties with Iran reflected throughspeeches and actions as well but in the latest development, the Iraniandeputy tourism minister has announced the continuation of efforts todevelop tourism relations and cancel visas between the two countries.
Maryam Jalali Dahkardi, who is currently in the Saudi capital Riyadh toparticipate in World Tourism Day, elaborated that she and Deputy Ministerof Tourism for International Relations and Foreign Tourism, SultanAl-Musallam have discussed methods to remove obstacles to the developmentof tourism ties between the two countries.
The minister also invited the Saudi tourism minister to visit Iran besidesdiscussing matters of mutual importance.
Last March, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relationsseven years after severing them which came as a surprise to the Muslimcommunity.
Both countries are special in the sense that Saudi Arabia attracts millionsof Muslims each year for Hajj and Umrah purposes while on the other hand,Iran attracts millions of Muslims for religious events considered specialby a sect of Muslims.
Read Top Stories
Iran and Saudi Arabia have a longstanding rivalry rooted in religious,political, and regional differences. One major point of contention is theirreligious divide as Iran predominantly follows Shia Islam, while SaudiArabia adheres to Sunni Islam. This has led to tensions and competition forinfluence within the Muslim world.
Additionally, both countries vie for power and influence in the MiddleEast, often supporting opposing factions in conflicts in countries likeSyria, Yemen, and Iraq.
Historical disputes over control of holy sites in Mecca and Medina havealso contributed to the animosity. Economic competition, especially in theoil industry, further fuels the conflict. Their rivalry has played outthrough proxy conflicts in various regional disputes, causing ongoinginstability in the Middle East; however, the news of visa abolition hascome as a positive development for the Muslim world.
