RIYADH, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry accused on Tuesday Qatar of hindering its citizens and residents from performing Umrah, Saudi Press Agency reported.
It revealed that 7 million Muslims from all over the world had performed Umrah this season with ease, comfort and security. Ramadan is an important season for Muslims to perform such rituals.
"Based on the negative attitude and intransigence of the Qatari authorities to enable citizens and residents of Qatar to perform Hajj and Umrah rituals, the Ministry welcomes the Qatari people to perform Umrah rituals following completion of registering their legal information upon arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah," the ministry clarified.
It added that about expatriates in Qatar who want to perform Umrah, they could register their data on the ministry's website and complete electronic contracts with the Saudi-authorized Umrah companies.
The ministry affirmed that the citizens and residents in Qatar could come by air through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah via all airlines companies except Qatar Airways during the holy month of Ramadan.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt announced last June to sever ties with Qatar, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism and interfering in their internal affairs. Qatar had denied the allegations.
The dispute escalated over the past year, despite mediation efforts of a number of nations.
