DOHA: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Qatar has criticised the Saudi authorities for putting obstacles in the way of Qatar residents, including citizens and expatriates, wishing to perform Umrah in the holy month of Ramadan and also Hajj, as the season approaches.
The Ministry has demanded, in a statement issued on Thursday, that the Saudi authorities provide all facilities to Qatar residents which are provided to Muslims of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and other Arab and Islamic states.
The Ministry was referring to the conditions which the Saudi authorities have imposed on applicants from Qatar seeking to perform Umrah. It said that Riyadh has made it virtually impossible for Qatar residents to perform the pilgrimage. This is the third year in a row that people in the country are unable to perform Umrah and Hajj after a blockade was imposed on Qatar by the neighbouring countries. The siege was imposed during Ramadan in 2017.
The Ministry listed the obstacles erected by Riyadh. “Direct flights from Doha to Jeddah are still not allowed for all airlines, and the only land border with Saudi Arabia still remains closed for people with low income or those who cannot travel by air and want to visit Masjid Al Haram,” said the Ministry.
It also pointed out that the Saudi authorities do not allow Qatari Umrah and Hajj service providers to take the necessary licences, like in all other countries, which means they cannot ensure the health and safety of pilgrims. This is a great challenge, especially in the case of women, the elderly and patients.
Another issue of great concern is the continuous hate campaign unleashed in the Saudi media against Qataris. This media incitement is worrying as it poses a threat to the safety of Qataris visiting Saudi Arabia and would endanger their lives.
The Ministry renewed its call on the Saudi authorities to review these discriminatory measures against Qataris and those in the State of Qatar, calling for a heightened sense of religious responsibility and non-politicisation of the religious rituals.