Leading Pakistani cleric slams Qatari politicization of Hajj

ISLAMABAD: Qatar’s attempts to politicize the Hajj pilgrimage are “alarming for Muslims around the world,” the head of an alliance of Pakistani clerics told Arab News.
“The way the Saudi government is taking care of the Two Holy Mosques is a matter of pride for Muslims across the globe,” said Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, head of the Pakistan Ulema Council.
“Qatar should focus on its own internal issues, and it needs to settle matters with GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries.”
Trying to internationalize Hajj could have far-reaching consequences for Qatar, he said. “There’s no justification for this when Muslims are happy about the arrangements made by the Saudi government,” he added.
“It seems Qatar is following the wrong path, and this is something serious for the sanctities of Islamic values.”
Saudi Arabia previously said it deemed Qatar’s attempts to internationalize Hajj a “declaration of war.”