RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, July 14 (NNN-SPA) – Saudi Arabia called on Qatar to remove hinders it imposes on citizens and residents in Qatar, to stop them from performing the Hajj.
Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, accused the Qatari government of creating obstacles, to prevent its citizens and residents from arriving in the kingdom, to perform the pilgrimage. It clarified that, it has taken all required steps to ensure the arrival of pilgrims from Qatar, similar to pilgrims from all over the world.
It revealed that more than 1.7 million pilgrims are expected to perform the Hajj this year, while eight million performed the Umrah (minor Hajj).
The ministry denied allegations by the Qatari Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs that, Saudi Arabia is obstructing those who wish to visit the holy sites from Qatar.
It said that, for the last Umrah season, Saudi Arabia has taken exceptional steps, such as on-arrival procedures for Qataris, after the Qatari authorities blocked the Umrah registration website.
The ministry expressed its rejection to any attempt to politicise the Hajj rituals, highlighting that, Qatari pilgrims are welcomed to Saudi Arabia via all airlines, except the Qatari national carrier.– NNN-SPA
