Qatar cries foul over hajj permits
RIYADH: Qatar has accused Saudi Arabia of barring its citizens from this year’s hajj, something Riyadh denies.
Although 1 200 Qataris are eligible to perform the hajj under a quota system, Qatar says it has become impossible to get permits, blaming the campaign by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt to cut trade and diplomatic ties with the country.
Abdullah Al-kaabi of the staterun Qatar National Human Rights Committee said Saudi Arabia had shut down an electronic system used by travel agencies to obtain permits for pilgrims from Qatar.
“There is no chance this year for Qatari citizens and residents to travel for hajj,” he told Reuters. “Registration of pilgrims from the State of Qatar remains closed and residents of Qatar cannot be granted visas as there are no diplomatic missions.”
An official at Saudi Arabia’s hajj ministry said a group of Qataris had arrived for the pilgrimage which runs from today to Friday. – Reuters/african News Agency (ANA)