The protestors marched to the main entrance of the embassy. Al Nuaimi walked in with the petition in his hand. After he came out having spent sometime inside, he told the gathering that he met the Charge d'affaires and handed him the petition, refusing to disclose its contents.

“The diplomat has given assurances that the issue would be raised with the British foreign ministry,” he said. Qatar has allowed a church to open here and Christian clergymen keep visiting Doha regularly.

Entry visas are not refused to them, said Al Nuaimi. “We request the British government to treat Muslim clergy in the same way.”