(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Depriving Qatar of Haj this year set a dangerous precedent, which raised strong condemnation not only in Qatar, but was also denounced by many Islamic countries, and was considered a violation to human rights, the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs H E Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak Al Kuwari.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of National Day, the Minister said that the expulsion of the Qatari pilgrims who were performing Umrah in Ramadan, and the restrictions imposed on them undermined the sanctity of the Holy month of Ramadan, the holiness of the place, spirit of Islam, ties binding the Gulf family and the brotherhood of Arabism which was the beginning of the series of politicisation of religion by Saudi authorities.
The Minister said that the competent authority in the ministry sought to communicate with the body concerned in Saudi with which Qatar signed an agreement on the measures of Haj 1438 before the siege, but there was no response.
Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs also said that the National Day is an occasion to recognise the glorious achievements of the grandfathers and their efforts in establishing the State, and also to renew loyalty to the symbol of the homeland and the title of glory HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of Qatar's National Day, HE the Minister praised the slogan of this year's celebrations, ‘Promise of Prosperity and Glory', which promises a bright a prosperous future for Qatar despite the siege.
HE the Minister underlined that the State of Qatar broke the siege thanks to the strong determination of the wise leadership and the support of all citizens and residents of Qatar.
He noted that Qatar managed to overcome the consequences of the sudden and unjust siege and undermined the plans of the siege countries thanks to Allah, the solidarity between the leadership and the people and the wisdom of the leadership in dealing with the challenges.
The Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs praised Qatar's wisdom in dealing with the siege, stressing that imams and all those responsible of religious affairs in Qatar have followed the commandment of HH the Emir to stand up and not to overburden the well-established Islamic values that 'we have inherited from our fathers.
Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs H E Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak Al Kuwari said that the siege has only increased the resolve and determination of the wise leadership and people of the State to increase the pace of work to make new achievements.
In this context the Ministry has made a significant progress in the project of modern waqf which worth QR70m.
Meanwhile, Zakat revenues in Qatar have not been affected by the siege, but have continued to rise significantly this year. During the siege period between June and October, they amounted to 81m and 528 thousand and 585 riyals.
In the field of Daawa and religious guidance, the Ministry's programs continued as usual.
On the internet, the number of visitors of the site of the Islamic network multi-language 'Islamweb have increased round the clock in all services provided to the public. The number of people listened to the audio reached about 3bn, while the number of pages opened reached 478m and 892 thousand and 198.
The number of the new mosques also increased in the State. From June till now, the number of mosques reached 2140 in various areas of the State, an increase by 33 new mosque with a capacity of about 20, 000 people, in line with the urban development in the country.
The number of imams, preachers and muezzins reached 3459. Some of the new mosques included houses for imams, muezzins, centers for teaching the Holy Quran and centers for preaching and guidance.
On the other hand, the Department of Islamic Affairs of the Ministry oversaw the implementation of several projects, and has been keen to issue a series of works by Qatari clerics, printed more than 17 books in 69 volumes and distributed to researchers and students more than 37,000 and 290 copies. The Research and Islamic Studies Centers in the Ministry continued to issue the book 'Ketab Al Ummah, and the organization of the Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al-Thani Award.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center also continued its mission and the turnout of the Center has increased to about 7,000 visitors since June.
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