Iranians protest against Saudi rulers as Hajj gets underway

[rooster59]

Iranians protest against Saudi rulers as Hajj gets underway

Keith Walker

 

 

Thousands of Iranians have protested in Tehran against Saudi Arabia’s ruling family, shouting “death to Al Saud the traitors” as the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the Saudi city of Mecca gets underway.

 

It comes after Saudi Arabia’s top religious authority said that Iran’s leaders were not Muslims, sparking a harsh exchange with Iran.

 

Iranians won’t be able to attend this year’s pilgrimage after talks between the regions Sunni and Shiite powers about arrangements broke down in May.

 

“How are you going to invite 1.5 million pilgrims and not even allow yourself to think about the security measures?” Said Ohadi, head of Iran’s Hajj Organisation, told the Agence France-Presse news agency (AFP).

 

Protesters also chanted slogans against the US, Britain and Israel.

 

“They have reached a climax of unscrupulousness and treachery,” said Iranian protester Zabihullah Pirhayati. “They have united with the Jews, and are servants of America. They are serving America’s goals, and doing whatever that would benefit Israel. They have stabbed Muslims in the heart.”

 

“We don’t have any problems with the people of Saudi Arabia,” Habibullah Abulfazli said. “They are Sunnis and are our brothers. But the Al Saud family are puppets of Britain and America, they are fighting proxy wars against Shiites and against all Muslims.”

 

 

Increasingly bitter relations

The tension dates back to 2014 when Saudi authorities sentenced prominent Iranian cleric Nimr al-Nimr to death.

 

Tehran recently stepped up criticism of Riyadh over its handling of last years Hajj during which at least 2,300 people were killed in a stampede, according to an AFP count.

 

Tehran has said the death toll was far higher.

 

“Seven thousand people were martyred, were killed, from 39 countries,” Ohadi said.

 

Saudi Arabia says the figure was only 769, but has refused to release the details of its investigation.

 

Hajj security talks break down

Ohadi said that during this year’s negotiations the Saudis simply fell back on verses of the Koran stating that anyone who enters Saudi Arabia has “full security”.

 

“Last year we had those verses in the Koran too.”

 

Ohadi said the last straw in the hajj talks was a demand from the Saudis that Iranian pilgrims “cannot have any contact with any Muslim from any other country”, despite the Koranic verses’ emphasis on the importance of mingling with Muslims from around the world during the pilgrimage.

 

His Saudi counterpart Mohammed Bentin told him there were concerns that Iranians would try to “convert” Sunnis to their Shiite branch of Islam, Ohadi said.

 

“I said, minister, this is really funny. If you are not ready to accept the Iranians, please very frankly and transparently say that you are not going to allow Iranians. Why? Because you are afraid they will expose what happened last year.”

 

‘Unacceptable’ demands

Saudi Arabia has countered that Tehran made “unacceptable” demands during the talks, including the right to organise demonstrations “that would cause chaos”.

 

But right from the start, Ohadi said there was “very bad hospitality” and “weird attitudes” from the Saudis — including a refusal to give delegates diplomatic entry, or even cars to their hotel.

 

Ohadi said depriving the Iranian faithful of the chance to perform the hajj was “unacceptable”, especially given the 15-20 year waiting list.

The Saudis “believe they are the owners — that Mecca and Medina are their properties,” he said.

 

“No — they are the properties of Islam.”

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-09-10

 

[canopus1969]

Ban ALL religion

[Grubster]

2 hours ago, canopus1969 said:

Ban ALL religion

Yes I believe that may be the best option.

[Credo]

Quote

Protesters also chanted slogans against the US, Britain and Israel.

Well, I, for one, am glad they threw that into the same protest.   It saves on them having to go out in the summer heat for separate demonstrations.

 

I have no idea why the US, Britain or Israel would have anything to do with the Hajj.

 

[rijb]

2 hours ago, canopus1969 said:

Ban ALL religion

 

I agree.  However, the flocks would find something else to take its place.  I'm afraid to guess what that might be.

[hansnl]

37 minutes ago, Credo said:

Well, I, for one, am glad they threw that into the same protest.   It saves on them having to go out in the summer heat for separate demonstrations.

 

I have no idea why the US, Britain or Israel would have anything to do with the Hajj.

 

You have no idea.

I have no idea.

But they seem to have the idea!

It just illustrates the strange ways muslim minds can function(?).

Now, the Iranian Ayatollas are preparing a war against Saudis, US, Britain, Israel, it seems.

And Mr Obama is so very happy with his deal with those *********

 

 

[Credo]

On 9/10/2016 at 0:57 PM, hansnl said:

You have no idea.

I have no idea.

But they seem to have the idea!

It just illustrates the strange ways muslim minds can function(?).

Now, the Iranian Ayatollas are preparing a war against Saudis, US, Britain, Israel, it seems.

And Mr Obama is so very happy with his deal with those *********

 

 

Well, if they do wish to take on Saudi, the US, Britain and Israel, I think that nuclear deal won't be the cause and it won't be necessary because I think the first think that will be taken out is their nuclear capability.   I doubt their good friend Russia is going to get involved.   

 

Who would have thought that WWIII would start over complaints about the Hajj between two Muslim countries?

[Jingthing]

Grandpa went to Hajj, got trampled to death, but all I got was this darned t-shirt!

 

Seriously, concerns about safety at Hajj, for those that insist on going, are perfectly valid. 

 

From my perspective, very much PRO the "Satans" (USA and Israel) conflicts between powerful Muslim nations aren't necessarily a totally bad thing. 

Edited September 11, 2016 by Jingthing