SAN FRANCISCO, June 02, (THEWILL) – The Iranian government has announced that its citizens will not participate in this year’s Hajj, set for September, to Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
This was announced by Iran’s Culture Minister, Ali Jannati, two days after his delegation left Saudi Arabia after two series of negotiations without any results with Saudi authorities.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had also declared that pilgrims from Iran may not perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage following the refusal of the Iranian Organization of Hajj and Visit’s mission to sign minutes of concluding arrangements of Iranian pilgrims.
The Saudi government chided the Iranian delegation for playing politics by refusing to sign the minutes of an agreement negotiated earlier this week between the two sides saying it had offered many solutions to meet a string of demands made by the Iranians.
“Despite Tehran’s politicking, Saudi Arabia remains committed to serving pilgrims from across the world, and making the journey safe and comfortable for them,” the Saudi’s declared.
Riyadh cut ties with Tehran in January after Iranian fanatics torched its embassy and a consulate following its execution of a prominent Shiite man convicted of sedition.
The talks were the second attempt by the two countries to reach a deal on organizing this year’s pilgrimage for Iranians after an unsuccessful first round held in April in Saudi Arabia.
Story by David Oputah
