Hajj Factor in Saudi Arabia and Somaliland Relations

Abstract

The Islamic sacred city Mecca is the destination of global Muslims’ hajj activities. Saudi Arabia and countries with a large number of Muslims attach great importance to the special role of hajj in international relation, especially in the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Somaliland, which is mainly reflected in two aspects. Firstly, Somaliland is one of the main export destination of the livestock for Eid Al Adha of the hajj rituals. Eid Al Adha is an important part of the hajj rituals, and is also the obligation of most hajj pilgrims. With the sharp increase in the number of pilgrims all over the world in recent years, Saudi Arabia needs to import a large number of livestock from Somaliland and Sudan to meet its basic religious needs. Somaliland is a so-called ‘republic’ within Somalia’s territory that declared ‘independence’ on its own, which has not been universally recognised by the international community. Over the years, Somaliland has maintained a relatively stable situation. Its economic mainstay is livestock export, especially during the hajj season. Although the export of livestock from Somaliland to Saudi Arabia has been interrupted many times due to the animal infectious diseases, the huge demand for sacrifice in the hajj rituals highlights the importance of Somaliland. In other words, the smooth and complete performance of the hajj has largely maintained the development of Saudi Arabia’s relations with Somaliland. Secondly, Saudi Arabia invited the ‘President’ of Somaliland to Mecca for hajj, and also urged the easing of conflicting relations between Somaliland authorities and the Somali federal government. Somalia does not recognise the ‘independence’ of Somaliland. The conflict between the two sides also affects the allocation of hajj quota, which has triggered strong dissatisfaction and resistance in Somaliland. For example, Somaliland complained to Saudi Arabia for Somalia’s ‘politicisation’ of hajj. In order to cool down the conflict in Somalia, Saudi Arabia invited the ‘President’ and some senior officials of Somaliland to perform the hajj in Mecca, and held informal talks with senior officials of the Somali government during the hajj. In general, hajj has played a significant role in promoting the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Somaliland. For Saudi Arabia, the animal sacrifice trade for hajj has actually consolidated the economic foundation of Somaliland and helped it play a relatively stable demonstration role in the Horn of Africa. Saudi Arabia has also carried out the host diplomacy of hajj in Mecca to promote the talks between Somaliland’s and Somali officials during their hajj activities. For Somaliland, the export of a large number of livestock for Eid Al Adha allowed it to play an important religious role in the annual hajj, thus gaining Saudi Arabia’s economic and political support to a certain extent, contributing to a win-win situation in the fields of religion, economy and security.