Muslim pilgrims and rescuers gather around the victims of a crush in Mina, Saudi Arabia, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage on September 24, 2015.
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Addressing worshipers during the Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayers in Tehran, Ayatollah Khatami recalled crimes committed by Saudi rulers in dealing with the pilgrims in past year Hajj tragedy in which thousands of Muslims were killed in a tragic stampede in Mina.
For the first time in almost 3 decades, Iran’s 64,000 pilgrims are not attending the hajj in Saudi Arabia after the two regional rivals failed to agree on security and logistics.
Iran reported the largest number of victims, at 464.
His claims led to mutual accusations throughout last week.
The leader of Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement has lashed out at Saudi Arabia for mishandling of the Hajj rituals, saying restrictions imposed on Muslims for this year’s Hajj are reminiscent of Israel’s repeated desecration of the al-Aqsa Mosque.
Responding to Khamenei, Saudi Arabia’s top religious authority, the Grand Mufti, described Iran’s leaders as not Muslims.
The annual hajj pilgrimage begins on September 22, and more than a million faithful have already flocked to Saudi Arabia in preparation for what will for many be the highlight of their spiritual lives. “Serving the guests of God is an honour for us”, Salman told the VIP delegates. The hajj ministry´s spokesman said “a number” who held other passports were in attendance.
Traditional Wahhabi doctrine in Saudi Arabia is ultra-conservative, viewing Shi’ites as heretical, but the authorities welcome them to the haj and accepts Iranian visits to the Saudi-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Sheep are slaughtered and the meat distributed to needy Muslims, symbolising the prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Ishmael on the orders of God, who provided a lamb in the boy’s place at the last moment.
Speaking to dignitaries from Muslim countries at a reception at the royal court in Mina, outside the Muslim holy city of Mecca, the king added that Muslims should unite to fight what he called an epidemic of “extremism”.
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The Saudi officials, “guided by the United States and the Zionists, seek to create tension in their ties with Iran”, the senior Iranian commander added, stressing that Saudis’ failures in Iraq, Syria and Yemen are the result of the “unwise policies” of the rulers of the kingdom.
