Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran last January after demonstrators set fire to the Saudi Embassy in Tehran following Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Shi’ite cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
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On the anniversary of Mina catastrophe, Lebanese newspaper of al-Akhbar posted a report in which it cited a database leaked from the Saudi ministry of public health, documenting the death of over 90 thousand multinational pilgrims in Mecca in 14 years.
He repeated his demands that Saudi Arabia’s ruling Al Saud family properly investigate the disaster or allow an worldwide commission to do so, and that someone other than the Saudis be put in charge of administering the hajj.
Saudi Arabia has countered that Tehran made “unacceptable” demands during the talks, including the right to organise demonstrations “that would cause chaos”.
On Monday, Khamenei raised the stakes in the dispute by saying Saudi officials had “murdered” hajj pilgrims who were injured in the stampede. “They are fighting proxy wars against Shias and against all Muslims”.
Beyond the politicisation of the hajj and its organisation, the memories of last year’s crush will prove hard to forget for those involved.
Also speaking in the Press TV’s program “The Debate”, Mouracadeh said high tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia and their inability to reach consensus about this year’s Hajj pilgrimage prevented the Iranians from exercising this year’s Islamic ritual. But protesters offered their harshest criticism for Saudi Arabia.
Under the instructions of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Naif, deputy premier, interior minister and the chairman of the Supreme Hajj committee, any external pilgrim with valid Hajj permit who arrives late for valid reasons such as flight delay will be received and rushed to Makkah.
“If we are in Karbala, it’s the house of God, it can be considered hajj for us”.
To begin the hajj, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims circle the Kaaba in Mecca’s Grand Mosque.
The hajj, which begins on Saturday this year, has not been spared.
“Some have maintained that the sheer number of people moving back and forth between sites that are in relatively confined spaces has meant that accidents in the form of stampedes or firs are hard to prevent completely”.
“How are you going to invite 1.5 million pilgrims and not even allow yourself to think about the security measures?” “There are always concerns when travelling to another country”.
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“On the compensation of six Nigerians that were affected by the plane crash, the mission is still followsing the issue with the Saudi authorities to ensure that full compensation is paid to their families”. The Koran recommends all Muslims make the journey at least once in their lifetime.
