To address security concerns, almost a thousand new surveillance cameras have been installed at Mecca’s Grand Mosque, which will monitor crowd numbers, and the Jamarat stoning (a symbolic stoning of the devil based on historic tradition) will be more tightly controlled than in previous years.
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Iran has cancelled the participation of tens of thousands of its pilgrims in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, which starts on Saturday, due to Saudi Arabia’s creation of obstacles in the way of Iranians seeking to perform the rituals.
One of the five pillars of Islam, the hajj must be performed at least once in a lifetime by all Muslims who can afford the costly and hard trip. State media reported similar protests across the country.
The ministry also stated that the capacity of medicines and essential equipment had been reviewed to ensure that it would be sufficient for the all of those going on pilgrimage this year.
The Saudis have “blocked the path to Allah. They are Sunnis and are our brothers”, protester Habibullah Abulfazli said.
With Iranians barred from the Haj pilgrimage, thousands protested in Tehran on Friday and officials criticised Saudi Arabia’s refusal to discuss last year’s deadly stampede.
The official Saudi toll of 769 people killed and 934 injured has not changed since September 26. Saudi Arabia never updated an initial toll of 769.
This year’s monumental rhetorical battle between the two regional rivals is not their first clash over the hajj. Iran claimed 600 of its pilgrims were killed and said police fired machine guns at the crowd.
– More than 1.4 million pilgrims from overseas are expected to join in excess of 100,000 from inside Saudi Arabia.
Iran has called for an independent body to take over administering the five-day hajj, something the Al Saud family has refused.
Death can come at any time, pilgrims say, and for Lawan Nasir, 45, that meant there was no reason to avoid the haj even though he lost a cousin in last year’s stampede.
Despite the Saudi steps, the head of Iran’s Haj Organisation, Said Ohadi, on Friday asked how the kingdom could invite the world’s Muslims and not allow questions about the security measures to be raised.
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The Saudis “believe they are the owners – that Mecca and Medina are their properties”, he said.
