Saudi Arabia guarantees Hajj pilgrims safety in Mecca

Saudi Arabia said Monday that it will ensure the safety of all the faithful who will undertake the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which will begin next weekend.

It also warned any practices which will put the pilgrims at risk will not be allowed, after the deadly crush that killed hundreds of pilgrims last year.

Crown Prince and Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef, said his country will not “allow in any way the occurrence of what is contrary to the rites of the pilgrimage that may disturb security and affect the lives of pilgrims and their safety.”

Bin Nayef also accused Iran of endangering the safety of the Hajj pilgrims.

He said that Iran is “seeking to politicize the Hajj and turn it into rituals against Islam’s teachings,” referring to the ongoing conflict between Riyadh and Tehran for other reasons, beyond the religious.

Iran did not reach an agreement this year with the Saudi authorities for its citizens to do the pilgrimage, but Iranians can go to the holy city of Mecca from other countries if they wish.

The Crown Prince also stated that Saudi Arabia has accommodated the Iranians with all the same facilities as all other pilgrims.

Earlier, the Ministry of Hajj denied that it is blocking Iranian pilgrims from taking part in the pilgrimage.

A total of 465 Iranian pilgrims were killed in the stampede in September last year, and the Tehran government blamed the Saudi authorities for the disaster.