In the latest developments Qatar has accused Saudi Arabia of deliberately making it hard for its pilgrims to obtain permits to go to Mecca.
Saudi Arabia, which hosts and supervises the Haj says Qatar is seeking to politicise the ritual for diplomatic gains. A row over access for Qataris to Islam’s annual Haj pilgrimage is further poisoning the relations between their country and Saudi Arabia and aggravating a wider diplomatic rift with other Arab powers.
Last week Saudi King Salman has allowed the Qataris to have their Haj pilgrimage, and if necessary he promised to use his transportation for the pilgrims. Regarding this a deal has been struck between the two countries as indication of easing of tensions, but looks like subsequently now the rift has deepened.
Many Qatari pilgrims saying that they will not travel to the Haj out of safety concerns, reported the news reports. The are unwilling to travel fearing that they becoming pawns in the on going political struggle.
Haj is the annual holy pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims are expected to complete once in their life. This year Hajj is expected to begin on Wednesday, August 30 and will end on September, 4, however like all Muslim celebrations it depends on the first moon sighting.
In the Islamic calendar Hajj begins every year on the 8th day of the Dhu al-Hijjah lunar month. The Hajj pilgrimage can be performed between five and nine days, the third day of Hajj is Eid ul-Adha and the ninth day of Hajj is called Day of Arafah.
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