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Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry responds to Iranian Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization refusal

31 May 2016 14:35 (UTC +04:00)

Baku – APA. Iranian government "will be responsible in front of Allah Almighty and its people for the inability of the Iranian citizens to perform Hajj for this year", said a statement from Saudi's pilgrimage ministry, Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Azerbaijan told APA.

The Iranian Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization has refused to sign the minutes concluding the arrangement of Iranian pilgrims. In response, the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry issued a statement that based on the keenness of the Custodians of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has responded to the desire of the Chairman of the Iranian Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization for the accompanying delegation to come to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to sign the minutes pertaining to the arrangements for the arrival of Iranian pilgrims to perform the Hajj ritual during the Hajj season 2016.

The statement said that the Ministry had formally received the delegation and provided them with all facilities enabling them to perform Umrah, after which, it said continuous meetings were held during which the Ministry of Hajj ad Umrah suggested a number of solutions to all points requested by the Iranian Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization.

Saudi officials accused their Iranian counterparts of walking out of talks early on Friday, despite what they said were offers for "solutions" to the Iranian demands.

It added that the Saudi leadership "has stressed its categorical rejection to politicise Hajj rituals".

According to Saudi's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the government has agreed to issue electronic visas to Iranians in Tehran through the Swiss embassy, which represents Saudi Arabia. There was also an agreement that the Swiss embassy in Riyadh look after Iranian pilgrims. The Saudi ministry also said it had agreed on transporting pilgrims "equally between the Saudi national carrier and Iranian national carrier".

Saudi Arabia said it is "always ready" to help arriving Iranian pilgrims.