Various groups of Qatari pilgrims will return Wednesday to the country after performing Haj in Makkah. The last group is set to return Thursday.

The Director of the Department of Hajj and Umrah at the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs Ali bin Sultan Al Misifri, confirmed the readiness of the ministry and all concerned units, teams and Qatari campaigns to make the Hajj season for pilgrims from Qatar a success for this year 14

Saudi Arabia has restricted the annual Haj pilgrimage to citizens and residents and set a maximum of 60,000 pilgrims in response to the coronavirus pandemic

HE the Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri, has called on the United Nations to conduct international investigations into the violations of the right to practise religious practices in Saudi Arabia

Qatar has accused Saudi Arabia of barring its nationals from performing this year's Haj too as part of Riyadh's efforts to politicise religion in the backdrop of the ongoing diplomatic rift between the two countries.

It has become clear that Qataris would not be able to perform the Haj for the second consecutive year on account of the unacceptable hurdles created by the authorities concerned in Saudi Arabia, local Arabic daily Arrayah reported Friday.

Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs dismisses claims that Qatar prevents its citizens from going on the pilgrimage.

The ministry said that the statement did not bring anything new to resolve the obstacles that have existed since June 5, 2017.

For the second consecutive year, Qataris and residents of Qatar are unable to perform the Ramadan Umrah (minor pilgrimage) due to the restrictions imposed by the Saudi authorities.

Pilgrims were trekking en masse in a desert valley near the Saudi holy city of Makkah to perform the third and final day of a symbolic devil-stoning ritual as part of the annual Haj that ends on Sunday.

More than two million people are expected to participate in this year's Haj, a pillar of Islam that capable Muslims must perform at least once in their lives, which starts next week.

Awqaf Ministry still awaiting response from Saudi Haj ministry to complete procedures