A report in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, which quoted Lebanese press, said the Kingdom responded to the escalating crisis by offering to construct the equivalent of one mosque per every 100 refugees who crossed into the country over the weekend.

Saudi Arabia and other wealthy Gulf states have been criticised for their response to the increasingly stark humanitarian crisis across the Middle East, with Arab states of the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned for not letting refugees in.

Dawkins, a staunch atheist known for his controversial views on religion, blasted Saudi Arabia for only pledging something he claimed would not directly benefit the welfare of refugees arriving in Germany, branding it "either a sick joke or sick insult to German generosity”.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly accepted half a million Syrian people since civil war broke out four years ago, but as workers, not refugees. However, the BBC estimates that Gulf states have collectively given $900m (£600m) in aid through individual and charitable donations.

Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Show all 10 1 /10 Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Migrants walk in a long line along the highway near Budapest, Hungary, Friday, Sept. 4, 2015 AP Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Migrants walk on the railway tracks between Bicske and Szar, some 40 km west of Budapest, Hungary, 04 September 2015 EPA Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Refugees march from Hungary to Austria The destination for most of those walking is reportedly Austria AP Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Most refugees have come to Hungary through the southern border with Serbia AP Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Refugees march from Hungary to Austria People walk in a long line along the highway near Budapest, Hungary AP Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Over 150,000 people seeking to enter Europe have reached Hungary this year AP Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Refugees walk along Budaorsi Street on their way out of Budapest EPA Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Refugees hold up an EU flag as they on the highway out of Budpest AP Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Refugees exit Budapest AP Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Refugees march from Hungary to Austria Hundreds of migrants walk after leaving the transit zone of the Budapest main train station AFP