Washington Times, May 12, 2016 – Saudi Arabia on Thursday denied blocking Iranian Haj pilgrims after Tehran alleged “sabotage” by its regional rival.
The kingdom “welcomes all pilgrims from all over the world and from all nationalities and sectarian backgrounds, and does not stop any Muslim from coming”, the Ministry of Haj said in a statement carried by Al-Riyadh newspaper.
But the visits must occur “within the system and guidelines that organize Haj affairs,” the ministry said.
Earlier on Thursday Iran said its nationals will miss the annual Haj, expected in early September, after the two countries severed diplomatic ties this year.
The ministry said Saudi Arabia “did not at all ban Iranian pilgrims from coming. The ban came from the Iranian government which uses this as one of its many means to pressure the Saudi government.”
The Iranian delegation “refused to sign the agreement to finalize preparations for this year’s Haj… insisting on their demands,” the ministry said.
It added that “those who have banned their citizens from this right (to perform the pilgrimage) will be held responsible for their decision in front of God and the whole world”.
