Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Ministry of Haj and Umrah has called upon the concerned authorities in Qatar to facilitate the arrival of Qataris wishing to perform the upcoming Haj and remove all obstacles imposed by Doha which prevent its citizens and residents from performing the pilgrimage.

In a statement, the Ministry of Haj and Umrah said the Saudi government has taken all steps to ensure all means are utilized to facilitate the arrival of Haj and Umrah pilgrims coming from Qatar similar to what it does toward all Muslims wishing to perform the annual Haj and Umrah.

It was agreed that more than 1.7 million pilgrims would come to perform this year’s Haj while nearly 8 million Muslims from all over the world performed Umrah.

“The Ministry of Haj and Umrah rejects allegations made by the Qatari Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs that the government of Saudi Arabia is obstructing those who wish to visit the holy sites to perform Haj and Umrah,” the ministry said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Saturday.

The ministry stressed in the statement the Kingdom’s rejection of any attempt to politicize the Haj. It called upon the Qatari Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs to enable Qatari pilgrims “to travel and perform the pilgrimage rituals through all international airlines except Qatar Airways.”

“They should not prevent them. They should help them perform the Haj and Umrah without bringing politics into the matter,” the statement read.

The Ministry of Haj and Umrah affirmed its continuous welcome of Qatari brothers to come to the Kingdom to perform Haj and Umrah rituals and their keenness to enable them to perform their rituals as all pilgrims from all over the world. It calls on those responsible for Haj and Umrah affairs in the Qatar to respond to the facilities offered by the Kingdom for pilgrims to perform their duties and that the facilities offered by the Kingdom to citizens and residents in Qatar continue and support their desire to come to the holy land to perform Haj and Umrah in safety, comfort and reassurance.