Because of these (Saudi) rulers' oppressive behavior towards God's guests (pilgrims), the world of Islam must fundamentally reconsider the management of the two holy places and the issue of haj.The hajj is projected to begin on September 9.
Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Monday, September 05, 2016
Iran's Supreme Leader Questions Saudi Control of Hajj
According to today's Jerusalem Post, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has questioned Saudi Arabia's continued control of the hajj pilgrimage. Last year over 2000 pilgrims, many of them Iranians, died in a crush of crowds outside Mecca. (See prior posting.) Iran is a regional rival of Saudi Arabia, and this year talks on arrangement for Iranians to make the hajj broke down. No Iranians will attend this year. (See prior posting.) A message on Khamenei's website reads: