While Muslim citizens around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, leaders of Muslim majority nations are at loggerheads, in a move that has sent ripple effects across the globe. On Monday Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and the Maldives implemented a diplomatic ban on the state of Qatar; rendering their air-spaces, land and ocean waters inaccessible to the Qatari nation.

As an excuse, which has since been criticised by analysts, the Gulf States cited Qatar’s amir’s, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s alleged support of extremism and Iran at the heart of the decision.

Earlier this week, several Arab countries announced the withdrawal of trade operations with the Gulf nation. The ban includes Saudi Arabia ordering its nationals to leave Qatar within 14 days and barring Qataris from the kingdom.

The move has not only impacted the upper echelons on the political stage, but has had far reaching effects for travellers, in particular, for mu’tamireen and hujjaaj flying with Qatar Airways.

Speaking to VOC’s In the Fast Lane, Chairperson of the South African Muslim Travellers Association (SAMTA), Nazer Malek explained that while the air, land, and sea ban on Qatar has riled up concern, SAMTA is mainly concerned with the ban relating to air space.

He says that the ban has not only impacted the countries involved in the dispute, but impacts the entire globe, with travellers most affected by the air space ban.

When the ban came to affect, those who already undertook their journeys were by Tuesday forced to be rerouted by the airline to their final destinations in the Middle East.

“To the airline it’s a mammoth task to repatriate their own people to Qatar itself from the entire Middle East area and for the people who already undertook their journeys.”

Malik says that travellers who are ticketed and have not yet embarked on their journeys have the option of rerouting their tickets and issuing new tickets via other carriers.

“Qatar has thus far assisted in this manner and some travellers have been ticketed on Turkish Airways,” he noted.

For those who have already embarked on their journeys and need to return home, they have two options; travellers can request a full refund of the portion unused or request to be rerouted via their agents, as Qatar offices in the countries impacted remain closed.

Travellers who have booked with Qatar Airways on its online portal will need to request a refund via the website.

“Those who have booked with agents or directly with Qatar Airways will have to get their refund or be rerouted via Qatar Airways or with their local carrier.”

Given assertions by Qatari authorities that the matter will be settled at the end of the month-long ban, Malek advises travellers that there is no certainty that the deepening dispute may not continue well past the deadline.

President of the South African Haj Travel Operators Association (SATHOA), Adam Jainodien explains that the ban has had far reaching affects for mu’tamireen and accredited hujjaaj who have already began planning their journeys.

“We are facing the possibility that we may have to get refunds at a later stage and this may impact passengers and all operators charge tickets based on the price at the time of booking,” Jainodien stated.

He confirmed that SATHOA is working with operators in a bid to prevent any extra costs from falling in hands of pilgrims.

“Within the month of Ramadan that such a stance was taken; it impacts upon millions of people who have made their journeys into the kingdom. It is not kind, but we make dua that Allah grants the nations the wisdom to sit around the table and negotiate a deal that will be of benefit to their citizens and the world.” VOC