Saudi Arabia Bars Iranian Pilgrims from Hajj

Local Editor

Head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Saeed Ohadi said Saudi officials lacked political will to facilitate trip of Iranian pilgrims to the country for annual Hajj rituals.

'However', he added, 'efforts are underway to send the pilgrims to Hajj rituals'.

About the Saudi officials' approach to the issue, Ohadi said they did not follow even the simplest of political protocol which is extending a 'simple apology.'

'Hajj is our legitimate religious right,' he stressed.

During the September 24 Mina tragedy, over 5,000 pilgrims including 461 Iranians were killed due to stampede there and mismanagement of Saudi rulers to handle the event.

Ohadi, further hoped Riyadh would change its behavior and develop positive attitudes towards the issue.

About compensations that have to be paid to the families of the Mina victims, Ohadi said Saudi Arabia is indifferent to the issue despite its commitments.

On the first international congress on Mina victims, Ohadi said it will be held in Tehran on September 8 in the presence of the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

About the Iranian pilgrims who were killed in Mina, Ohadi said 42 of them were buried in Saudi Arabia after receiving permission and agreement from their families.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team