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As nearly two million muslims across the world embark on their pilgrimage to Mecca, residents of Qatar have been denied this holy privilege due to the ongoing regional dispute between Qatar and other Gulf countries.

The crisis which has resulted in Saudi Arabia closing their embassy in Qatar ultimately means that Qataris are unable to apply for Visas to enter Saudi Arabia for their pilgrimage.

In June, Saudi Arabia, which oversees and manages Islam's two holiest sites in Mecca and Medina, along with the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain severed diplomatic ties with Qatar.

The quartet withdrew their ambassadors in protest at Doha's alleged "interference in their internal affairs" and its support of "terrorism". Qatar has openly denied these allegations.

They also imposed a land, sea and air blockade, making the task of procuring Hajj and Umrah visas nearly impossible.

"I want to go on Hajj but I am not allowed," Shafiq told Al Jazeera.

"The Saudi embassy is closed so how am I supposed to go? ... I am an old man [this could be my last chance] and maybe I will die tomorrow."

Qatar's National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) said in a statement "that the Hajj cannot be used for political and personal calculations or mediations, rather, it is a right guaranteed by international agreements on human rights and Islamic law".

Jumah al-Kuwari, the head of the Doha Group Transport Company for Hajj and Umrah, told Al Jazeera that Saudi Arabia's refusal to communicate with its neighbour had wreaked havoc with travel plans.

"The Qatari Ministry of Islamic Affairs would coordinate the pilgrimage with the Saudis, but since the crisis started, no one would answer. Many residents who were accepted got their passports back without a visa," he said.

"Most pilgrims sign up to Hajj companies which takes care of their food, transport and accommodation. But, because of the Gulf crisis and restrictions on travel, these companies are unable to make the necessary arrangements."