The World : Mecca Pilgrims Warned

Saudi Arabia has warned Shia Muslims that they face Koranic punishments, which include beheading and crucifixion, if they disrupt this year’s pilgrimage in Mecca, the official Saudi Press Agency reported. The Saudi government said it will punish “any act of disturbance, terrorism or sabotage such as demonstrations, slogan shouting and carrying of posters and banners, use of loud-speakers and blocking of roads and delaying of pilgrims from performing the rites,” the news agency said. The warning was clearly aimed at followers of Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The annual pilgrimage to Mecca begins in late July.