Saudi relents on visas for Chinese Muslims in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Oct 3 (Reuters) After weeks of protests outside Saudi Arabia's embassy in Pakistan, Chinese Muslims today won their battle to be granted visas to join the annual Haj pilgrimage to Islam's holy city of Mecca.

Saudi ambassador Ali Saeed Awad Asseri, after consultation with Chinese officials, told reporters that the visas would be given for the Haj in January.

Hundreds of Chinese Muslims, mostly ethnic Uighurs from western China, have been protesting daily outside the embassy, but police reckon there are several thousand in Pakistan.

''They have Chinese passports, Pakistani visas and they are on the doorstep of Saudi embassy so really we don't have any other choice than to treat this issue on humanitarian grounds,'' Asseri said.

When the decision was announced to the throng outside the embassy gates it sparked a wave of joy. Many people sobbed in happiness.

''I'm very happy. These people are poor and their only wish is to do the Haj,'' Nabi Jan, a middle-aged man from China's Xinjiang province, said.

''We pray for everyone,'' a young woman wearing a head-to-toe veil shouted.

The Chinese Muslims have been coming to Islamabad for many years to collect visas for the pilgrimage, but in May China advised Saudi Arabia not to issue visas in third countries.

While relenting this year, the Saudi ambassador said in future all visas should be processed through the embassy in Beijing.

Many Muslim Uighurs seek greater autonomy and some want independence from China. Beijing has waged a campaign against what it calls the violent separatist activities of the Uighurs.

REUTERS LL BD2010