The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs expressed its surprise at a statement by the Ministry of Haj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia regarding the rights of citizens and residents of Qatar in practising Islamic rituals in Makkah. 

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

The Ministry denied claims that Qatar did not enable citizens and residents to perform Hajj and Umrah, stressing that the kingdom continues to impose obstacles and arbitrary measures that single out those living in Qatar in particular out of the rest of the Muslim world, according to The Peninsula.

The ministry backed its statement with a number of issues that remain unresolved. Some of them were the fact that reaching Jeddah by road from Doha was not possible due to the closing of the borders, direct air travel from Doha to Jeddah was also unavailable, which represents a burden on pilgrims in general and the elderly in particular, many of whom are suffering from diseases.

The ministry also noted that the entry of citizens and residents of Qatar was subject only to the whims of the designated employees.

The ministry cited cases of Qatari citizens being prevented from performing Umrah in the past, as well as complaints about difficulties in communicating with certified Hajj and Umrah companies in Saudi Arabia, according to Qatar Tribune.

The ministry said Saudi Arabia should separate religious rights from political disputes, especially during blessed days of the holy month.