Blocking Qatari faithfuls from Umrah during Ramadan causes disappointment
Ever since the country started being subjected to an illegal siege by neighbouring countries, visiting Saudi Arabia for religious rites have become difficult for citizens and residents of Qatar.
Due to unjust restrictions placed on Qatari pilgrims, they have been unable to perform the Islamic ritual of Umrah during the holy month of Ramadan, according to The Peninsula.
Many citizens shared their unhappiness and sorrow at not being able to perform Umrah this Ramadan.
“Every Ramadan, we would go for Umrah. But this year, we’re bound under political tussle. We’re literally speechless and cannot express in words how cruel people can become regarding religion. We hope and pray every day that this dispute comes to an end and we perform our religious duties normally once again,” Mansoor Al Yami, a local citizen, told The Peninsula.
The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) earlier issued a statement on the difficulties faced by residents and citizens in performing Umrah, highlighting the committee’s deep concerns regarding the Saudi authorities’ persistent restrictions of Muslims’ right to perform religious rituals.
The NHRC statement had also urged competent Saudi authorities not to use religious rites as a political leverage flagrantly violating international human rights conventions.
“The system which is controlled by people doesn’t allow pilgrims to perform Umrah. This control has destroyed the values of humanity which we’ve in our religion. No religion teaches people to stop others from practicing their religion. Being Muslims, we should help each other in such causes. I don’t feel pain just for myself, but for all my brothers who’re stopped to enter the Holy land,” said Jassim Al Mansoori, another Qatari national.
The online portal of Qatar’s Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs, which takes electronic registration for pilgrimage, says registrations are currently not possible for Qataris as well as expatriates.
According to an Awqaf report, the government of Saudi Arabia has blocked electronic registration for Qatar’s pilgrims in contrast to all other countries of the world. It also indicates that Saudi pilgrimage authorities have frozen their communication with Awqaf.
The Saudi embassy and consulate in Qatar had also been closed which implies that Haj and Umrah procedures cannot be performed from Qatar.
Several travel agencies that used to offer Umrah packages from Qatar to Saudi Arabia, have been shut down, citing huge losses.
accha and pinoy: why are we surprised about not being let in for umrah this ramadan? these are the same people who without warning, blockaded their brothers' access to food, medicines and essentials right in the middle of last Ramadan; but still, alhamdlillah that Qatar is not a poor country and allah helped us through and we have suffered next to nothing; we have other brothers who are not as blessed by Allah and who have been hungry and in fear of their lives since many a ramadan now; may Allah guide us all and open our doors ameen...
iampinoy81: I loved reading your post especially the words "We are living in a time where politics is the religion." How very true this is now. Religion is now being used as a tool to achieve political ends. Narinder Modi won the elections using the "religion card." Trump showed his open dislike for Muslims to garner votes during his elections.
However, the very sad part is what S Arabia is doing to Qatar. I was pained when I read this post. If the Saudis are true Muslims they cannot and should not stop any Muslim from any part of the world from coming to Makkah and Medinah for pilgrimage. The King of Saudi Arabia holds the title of "Custodian of the Two Harams" and he should stay above board and hold a broader prospective when it comes to religious matters and not allow the game of world politics to hold sway. It will be this act of his that will be questioned on the Day of Judgement.
As a Muslim, he should immediately order a change in this rule of stopping people from Qatar on perform Haj or Umrah.
In the 1980's when there was considerable problems with Iran on the political front, the Saudi government did not prevent Iranians from performing Haj or Umrah. How they are doing this now to Qatar simply beats the mind.
We are living in a time where politics is the religion. We are your brothers in Islam, Qatari or Expatriate, this is the holy month of Ramadan, and you have made difficult what Allah has given as a blessing to humanity. Umrah is a sunnah ordained by the Almighty, May Allah open the doors to reconciliation.
Politics aside, let your brother respond to Allah's Call.
لَبَّيْكَ اللهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ – لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ – إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَةَ لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ –
لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ –
Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk. Labbayka La Shareeka Laka Labbayk. Innal Hamda wan-Ni’mata Laka wal-Mulk. La Shareeka Lak.
At Your service, Allah, at Your service. At Your service, You have no partner, at Your service. Truly all praise, favour and sovereignty is Yours; You have no partner.
Heard that even Expatriates with the Qatar ID, whose visas are stamped in the passport are'nt allowed from their home town too..Is that true??