Qatar says it has become impossible to get permits, blaming the campaign by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt to cut trade and diplomatic ties with the country.

Reuters quoted Abdullah al-Kaabi of the state-run Qatar National Human Rights Committee as saying Saudi Arabia had shut down the system used by travel agencies to obtain permits.

"There is no chance this year for Qatari citizens and residents to travel for Hajj," he added, "registration of pilgrims from the State of Qatar remains closed, and residents of Qatar cannot be granted visas as there are no diplomatic missions."

The quota system imposed by Saudi Arabia on Muslims in the world makes only 1200 Qatari citizens to perform Hajj.

Saudi Arabia, and the three other Arab countries, closed land, air and sea links with Qatar in June last year, accusing it of funding terrorism, something Doha denies.

Saudi Arabia has said Qatari pilgrims can arrive on any airline other than Qatar Airways.

But three travel agencies in Doha told Reuters they had stopped trying to sell hajj packages, which can cost up to 120,000 riyals ($33,000).

"Last year we lost a lot of money as the crisis started after we had booked everything in Mecca and Medina and we had to pay people back," said a manager of one travel agency in Doha, declining to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.

"This year, nobody is really trying as people have understood there is no way to go there in these circumstances."

Riyadh temporarily opened the land border for the hajj last year, but not this time. A travel agency catering to migrant laborers in Doha said that had hit business.

"We sell hajj journeys by bus with accommodation for around 12,000 riyals," its manager said. "But as nobody can get visas and land borders are closed, it is zero bookings this year."