A number of Qatar residents have criticised the way the siege countries have let political issues adversely affect the lives of ordinary people and jeopardise their economic and other interests. These people have now approached the Compensation Claims Committee for redress.

Now in its fifth week, the panel continues to receive applications from people who have incurred losses due to the ongoing blockade, local Arabic daily 'Arrayah' reports.

On Sunday, the committee's office in Doha received 35 complaints and nine phone calls with queries about the documents needed to file claims for damages. Most of the recent complaints pertained to the loss of camels as many Qatari livestock owners had to leave behind their possessions and workers in Saudi Arabia and were denied access to them.

Some of the complaints were about Qatari students being unable to pursue/complete their university studies in the blockading countries, as well as about real-estate owners who were denied access to their properties, especially in the UAE, the daily said.

Most of the applicants stressed that it was not acceptable to let such political issues affect the daily lives of ordinary people and harm their interests. Many of them said they used to invest in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain with full trust and confidence, but the measures taken after the blockade by these countries have "turned things upside down".

Ali Ahmed, one of the applicants, said he had a house in Ajman, the UAE, but his attempts to gain access to the property and get in touch with acquaintances there to manage the building failed. Besides, all money transfer between Qatar and the UAE were stopped, adding to his problems.

The committee received all relevant documents from Ahmed and assured him that necessary steps would be taken to file a legal case.

Fahd Mohamed used to study Islamic law in Saudi Arabia and had concluded two years of his studies. However, like many other students, he had to abruptly halt his studies and return to Qatar due to the blockade. Now, he is trying to register with Qatar University, according to 'Arrayah'.

Mohamed says his experience is similar to what many other Qatari students have faced since the imposition of the blockade on June 5. He described such treatment of students in the siege countries as "unfair and unjustifiable".

Abdallah Issa held some stocks in an energy company in the UAE and was due to go there to collect his share of the earnings but was unable to so because of the blockade, the daily added.

Meanwhile, Shaheen al-Nuaimi said he lost a flock of 50 sheep in Saudi Arabia as the animals died in a fire that broke out on his farm there due to negligence, which was a direct consequence of the harsh measures taken against Qataris after the blockade started.

The blaze caused him losses worth around QR2mn, he claimed, adding that he still has 15 camels there but cannot follow up on their condition due to the blockade. Salem Khalid said he was not able to contact his workers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE or send them money, and visited the committee's office seeking help.

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