Saudi Arabia warns against attempts to politicize hajj
Updated: Monday, November 02, 2009
18:44GMT—1:44PM/EST
Washington, 2 November (WashingtonTV)—Saudi Arabia on Monday warned against any attempts to politicize the annual hajj pilgrimage to the Saudi holy city of Mecca.
The warning followed remarks last week by Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that the hajj should “display the firm resolve of the Muslim nation to confront attempts that damage its unity and progress.”
Khamenei also criticized Saudi authorities’ treatment of Shiite pilgrims, according to the website of the supreme leader.
In a statement after its weekly meeting, the Saudi cabinet said “the kingdom does not permit any party to disrupt the security of the pilgrims or to attempt to divide the ranks of Muslims,” reports AFP.
The statement did not directly mention Iran, but it came one week after Saudi Hajj Miniser Fuad al-Farsi said the Islamic Republic should not politicize the hajj.
Saudi newspapers have also accused Iran of attempting to “politicize” the hajj, reports Reuters.
The annual pilgrimage is expected to begin later this month.
Sources: Agence France-Presse, website of the office of the supreme leader of Iran, Reuters
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