Saudi Arabia Accuses Iraq In Distribution of Hajj Permits

In Saudi Arabia, the Hajj begins today. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Pilgrim Affairs has accused Iraq's Shi'ite-dominated government of distributing pilgrimage permits on a sectarian basis to favor Shi'ites over Sunnis. The report appears in yesterday in Malaysia's Star. Sunni Islam prevails in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry has also accused Iraq of exaggerating its population in order to get more pilgrims admitted. The comments came after reports in the Arab media that Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari claimed Saudi authorities had not allowed some Iraqi pilgrims into the country.