Qatar refuses Saudi initiative to transport Qatari pilgrims

Bahrain – August 21 2017: The Qatari Foreign Ministry released a statement on Monday refusing the Saudi Hajj initiative to transport Qatari pilgrims through Saudi Airlines and covering their Hajj costs, saying that facilitating the performance of Hajj would be through lifting the siege on Qatar.

“It is usual and customary for pilgrims from any country to be transported by national air, land and sea transportation in that country, in addition to other foreign means of transportation, with this taking place as part of the national mission of Hajj,” said the Qatari Foreign Ministry's Information Office Director, Ambassador Ahmed bin Saeed Al Rumaihi, according to the statement.

On Wednesday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman declared reopening Salwa border to Qataris and transporting them back home from King Fahad International Airport in Dammam and Al-Ahsa International Airport. However, the Qatari authorities rejected to facilitate the matter.

“Saudi Arabian Airlines has so far failed to schedule flights to transport Qatari pilgrims from Hamad International Airport in Doha, as the Qatari authorities have not authorized their aircraft to land, although several days have passed since the landing request was presented,” said Director General of the General Organization of Saudi Arabian Airlines Saleh Al Jasser on Monday.

In July, Qatar’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs issued a decision to stop electronic registration of Hajj for Qatari citizens.

Recently, the hashtag “Tamim seiged Qatari Pilgrims” trended on Twitter in Qatar. Users tweeted about the current situation of not allowing Qatari pilgrims to perform an important religious duty for Muslims.