Qatar concerned for security of citizens performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Friday expressed his concern for the safety of Qatari citizens traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

Speaking at a news conference with Norway’s Foreign Minister Borge Brende in Oslo, Norway, Thani said Saudi authorities had not responded to Doha’s inquiries regarding the safety of their citizens.

“The Saudi authorities have yet to respond to queries from the Qatari Ministry of Islamic Affairs regarding the security of Qatari citizens during Hajj,” the Minister said.

Thani pointed to the political tension between the two countries, accusing the Saudi media of instigating hatred for the people of Qatar.

“The level of tension between the two nations, the language and the tone of the Saudi media spreading hatred against Qatari people represents great concern for us,” the Qatari official said.

In early June, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and other nations severed diplomatic and economic ties with Doha who was accused of supporting terrorism.

However, Doha vehemently denied the allegations, labeling the embargo “unjustified” and with “no basis in fact.”

“Those people crossing the border right now are under the responsibility of the Saudi authorities for their security and safety,” Thani noted.

According to the Foreign Minister, over 100 Qatari pilgrims crossed into Saudi Arabia through the Salwa passage since the border was reopened to Hajj pilgrims on Thursday.

Officials in Doha criticized their Gulf Arab neighbors, adding the decision to open the border crossing was “politically motivated.”