Saudi Arabia slams Iran for 'politicizing' Hajj

Saudi Arabia’s cabinet on Monday condemned Iran’s attempts to block Iranian pilgrims from visiting the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah and accused Tehran of “politicizing” the religious ritual.

“The kingdom rejects Iran’s misuse of the pilgrimage to harm Saudi Arabia,” state-run Saudi Press Agency reported. “Iranian officials will be responsible before God and the entire world for such actions.”

Last week, Iran said it would suspend its participation in the annual hajj, in the latest sign of tension between the two Gulf neighbors. Tehran has accused Saudi Arabia of mismanaging the hajj, especially after over 2,000 pilgrims, including 464 Iranians died in a stampede in last September.

Ali Jannati, Iran’s minister of culture and Islamic guidance has said that negotiations with Saudi Arabia over visas and transportation for the hajj had broken down, making it impossible for Iranians to visit Makkah this year. The cancellation, however, is tentative.

The six-state Gulf Cooperation Council on Friday denounced Iran’s statement, saying that Iranian officials should realize that hajj is a sacred religious duty for all Muslims and it should not be politicized. The GCC urged Iran to cooperate with Saudi authorities to finalize arrangements for hajj.

In January, the kingdom cut diplomatic ties with Iran after Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi consulate following the execution of Saudi cleric Nimr al-Nimr.