The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) condemned the news reports by Saudi media claiming that the ministry has suspended Haj registrations for Qatari nationals. The ministry said the fabricated news is part of the campaign against the State of Qatar. The distortion of facts is meant to set obstacles for the pilgrims from Qatar, said the ministry.

Awqaf revealed that Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Haj and Umrah has refused to communicate with Qatar on securing the pilgrims safety and facilitating the Haj. The issue is in the hands of the Saudi authorities now, the ministry said.

Director of Haj and Umrah Department at Awqaf Ali Sultan Al Misifry said the department has started the registration for Haj from Qatar in last March as usual, and has closed it the same month, as is the procedure each year.

Al Misifry revealed the number of registrations by national and resident pilgrims has reached 20,000.  Many of these registrants have joined Haj campaign to begin their holy ritual. However, when the Saudi ministry’s refusal to communicate and to provide safety guarantees led to the apprehension of the pilgrims, in the backdrop of the unjustified obstacles and harassments Qatari pilgrims have faced.

Awqaf added it was waiting to hear from the senior authorized entities in Saudi if they are able to provide these guarantees. Awqaf also expressed its unhappiness in seeing politics is getting intertwined with one of the pillars of Islam, which can result in depriving many Muslims of the performance of the holy obligation.