Statement from Qatar’s Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs on urging Saudi authorities to lift all obstacles imposed on Qatari citizens and residents wishing to perform their religious rituals
The Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs in the State of Qatar announces that it urges the competent Saudi authorities to lift all obstacles and obstructions imposed upon Qatari citizens and residents wishing to perform their religious rituals, including Umrah in the holy month of Ramadan and Hajj with the advent of the Hajj season.
The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has requested that the Saudi authorities to provide all available facilities, similar to what is provided to the rest of the citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the Arab and Islamic countries. The Ministry stressed that the ban on direct flights from Doha to Jeddah continues for all airlines, as well as the closure of the only land border between the two countries which affects pilgrims with limited income or those who cannot travel by air.
Furthermore, Qatari Umrah and Hajj campaigns and travel agencies are not allowed to enter and get the necessary permits in contrast to all other campaigns from other countries. This means that the Qatari campaigns cannot guarantee the safety of the pilgrims. This is a great challenge especially when it comes to women, the elderly and sick pilgrims. In particular, it is extremely disturbing that there still is a persistence of the inflammatory media campaigns against the State of Qatar; both those of Qatari national origin and those connected to Qatar. This type of media campaigns could threaten the safety and security of the pilgrims.
The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs calls on the competent authorities in Saudi Arabia to review these discriminatory measures against Qatari nationals and residents of the State of Qatar, and urges them to bear their religious responsibility as the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques and to avoid the politicization of these religious rituals.