Qatar's Foreign Ministry is criticising Saudi Arabia's decision to fly Qatari pilgrims to the kingdom only on Saudi aircraft as “illogical” and cautioned against exploiting Haj “as a tool for political manipulation.”

The ministry's statement, released on Tuesday on the state-run Qatar News Agency, also criticised Saudi King Salman's offer to fly Qatari pilgrims at his expense. It said the state of Qatar and Qatari pilgrims “don't need aid in terms of covering the cost of Haj and portraying it as a charity.”

Last week, Saudi Arabia unilaterally reopened its border with Qatar to allow Qataris to perform Haj amid a months-long rift between the neighbouring countries.

The annual pilgrimage is performed at Islam's holiest site in Makkah.

Opinion

Editorial

X post facto
Updated 19 Apr, 2024

X post facto

Our decision-makers should realise the harm they are causing.
Insufficient inquiry
19 Apr, 2024

Insufficient inquiry

UNLESS the state is honest about the mistakes its functionaries have made, we will be doomed to repeat our follies....
Melting glaciers
19 Apr, 2024

Melting glaciers

AFTER several rain-related deaths in KP in recent days, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority has sprung into...
IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...