Iranian Officials' Reaction Iranian Officials' Reaction Iranian Officials' Reaction
Iranian Officials' Reaction Iranian Officials' Reaction Iranian Officials' Reaction Iranian Officials' Reaction Iranian Officials' Reaction

Iranian Officials' Reaction

Iranian Officials' Reaction


Iranian leader declares 3-day national mourning


 


Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei declared three days of national mourning over the death of  Hajj pilgrims, including at least 461 Iranians, in a stampede incident in Mina near the city of Mecca.


In his message on Thursday evening the Iranian Leader expressed condolences to the bereaved families of all those killed in the incident, specially the Iranians, and declared three days of national mourning in the country.


Meantime, Ayatollah Khamenei blasted the Saudi government, saying that Riyadh should accept its responsibility for "mismanagement" and adoption of "improper measures".


"Mismanagement and improper measures that caused this tragedy should not be overlooked,” he said, stressing that "the Saudi government is required to accept its heavy responsibility for this bitter incident and meet its obligations in compliance with the rule of righteousness and fairness".


Supreme Leader’s remarks on Mina disaster


The Leader’s remarks on the Mina disaster at the start of his course to clerics at the post-jurisprudence level (2015/09/27 - 14:49)


In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful


After a long holiday, today, we start our discussion; however, our hearts are filled with sorrow and filled with grief because of this bitter incident that took place at Mina and turned the Eid [al-Adha] into [a] mourning [occasion] in true sense of the word. Every year, in the season of Hajj, just like these days when Hajj rites and Hajj rituals have ended, the country is in [a state] of general jubilation; Hajjis come back [from Hajj pilgrimage], [and] families are happy, [because] their fathers, their children [and] their spouses are coming back [from Hajj pilgrimage]; families are happy that [their Hajjis] have come back, have done the Hajj pilgrimage, [and] have succeeded. 


After all, the world of Islam has question[to ask]. More than 1,000 [people] killed from various Islamic countries in a single incident, is this a joke? [And only] God knows how many hundreds [of people have] been killed from our country! Now, it is yet not clear where the missing [persons] are; it is possible that a great number of these [missing persons] are also [among] those who have lost their lives. Is [having] a few hundreds [of people] killed in an incident – [especially] in Hajj incident – a small matter? Is this a joke? The Islamic world must think [of a solution] for this [problem]; and the first point is that Saudis must accept their responsibility and meet the requirements for accepting this responsibility. That instead of apologizing to the Islamic Ummah and instead of apologizing to families [of victims of this incident] they start [and] keep incessantly attributing things  to this and that and incriminate [others] and the likes of that, will get [them] nowhere and nations will seriously follow up [on this issue]; this issue will not be forgotten. I hope, God willing, God will determine what is good [for all of us].


Leader urges Muslim world to probe into Hajj tragedy


Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Saudi Arabia has not made good on its obligations regarding the recent deadly Hajj incident, saying Iran's possible response will be "tough and harsh."  Here is a short excerpt from the leader's speech delivered in graduation ceremony of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army cadets (2015/09/30 - 22:52):


As for the recent incidents at Mina, I have to say a word. [This incident] was a mourning [occasion and a] calamity for us for two reasons: [one] reason was [because] hundreds of our dear Hajj pilgrims lost their lives unjustly [and] some of them even [died] thirsty. Their families were happy that their dear ones would come back from Hajj [pilgrimage] and had opened their arms for them, [but] now, they must face their dead bodies; this is a great calamity. The [total] number of our dead [pilgrims] is not known yet, [and] it may add up to hundreds of people. This is the first reason that [our] nation is woe-stricken in this issue in the true sense of the word.


 [The] second [reason is] for the Islamic world; as I have been informed, there have been more than 5,000 [people] killed from the Islamic world and from different countries. Hajj is a place of security; [as the Quran says:] “[Remember] when We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of security.” The Quran says, “We made the House a place of assembly” and a place of reference for the Islamic Ummah and “a place of security.” [Therefore,] it must be secure; [but] where is security? Is this security that during the Hajj rituals, the lives of human beings are encroached upon?


Investigation must be carried out [into this incident]; I do not have any premature judgment about the reasons of this incident [but] there must certainly be people from the Islamic world - including from our country - to go [and] investigate up-close, [and] make it clear what has been the reason of the incident; there is no argument about this. The argument is about duties that every government, every nation, every physician, every nurse, [and] every healthy [and] spiritual [and] kind human being must shoulder in the face of a group of injured [people]; these [duties] have not been observed. In hospital, in cold [storage] container, [and] in the desert, the condition of patient has not been taken into account, the condition of a distressed human being has not been taken into account, [and] the condition of thirsty [people] has not been taken into account. Today, they are problems for the transfer of their purified bodies back to the country; officials of our country are following up [on this issue]; [they] have been active, have been working, [and] are making [any possible] effort; such works and activities must continue, but officials of the country of Saudi Arabia are not fulfiling their duties, but in some cases, are doing exactly the opposite of their duties; [and] are doing mischief.


If our country and our nation wants to show reaction against trouble making and mischievous elements, their conditions will not be good; we have so far shown self-restraint. In many issues we have shown self-restraint; [otherwise] the Islamic Iran's hand is more open than many others, [and] our capabilities, [and] our potential are more than many; they know that if they wanted to challenge the Establishment of the Islamic Republic, they would not cope in any arena. We just observed the Islamic courtesy, [and] showed respect for brotherhood among the Islamic Ummah; [otherwise] we are able to show reaction. If we decided to show reaction, our reactions would be also tough [and] would be also harsh.


They have [already] tried the Iranian nation; in the issue of the eight-year war [against Iraq’s aggression], all of these - these surrounding [countries] - and all the powers of the East and the West supported and defended an evil [and] corrupt element and they were all slapped [in the face]; that corrupt element was also slapped [in the face] and following him all those who had supported [him] were slapped [in the face]; [so, they] have known Iran; [and even] if they have not, they [must] know it [now].


Today, tens of thousands of our dear ones are still in Mecca and in Medina, [and] are in Hajj rituals; a slight disrespect to them; will elicit [our] reaction; [Saudis must know that] not fulfilling their duties toward the purified bodies of our dear ones who lost their lives in Hajj, will elicit reaction; [they must] take care to fulfill their duties. Of course, this will not be the end [of this case], [and these] issues must be followed up on. The Islamic Republic is not for oppression, nor it accepts oppression [from anybody]; we do not oppress anybody [and] do not accept oppression from anybody. We believe that human beings - including Muslim and non-Muslim - have rights; we consider them as having right and will not encroach upon that right. However, if somebody wanted to encroach upon the right of the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic of Iran, we know how to deal with them; [and] we will deal strongly [with them]. Thank God, the ability [to do this] exists; the Iranian nation is a powerful nation, [and] the Islamic Republic is a stable and established power and we can defend ourselves.


Mina incident must not be forgotten


Leader of the Islamic Republic has criticized silence of western powers claimants of human rights on Mina incident.


 


Leader of the Islamic Republic has criticized silence of western powers claimants of human rights on Mina incident.


Ayatollah Khamenei addressed a meeting of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization officials and staff on Monday, where he specifically demanded more dynamism in part of the diplomacy machinery of the country in addressing Mina incident ‘in assertive manner as possible.’


“The bitter event of Mina incident was a test for our piety; however, we should not forget the event itself and the policy of silence by the hegemonic powers of the west claimants to the human rights on this great tragedy; as to our own responsibility, the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization and country’s diplomacy should address the issue strongly,” he emphasized.


“The hosting Saudi Arabia is the first responsible body for the death of 7,000 Muslims; we expected to see a single voice of objection by the Islamic world; however, no other voice was heard than that of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and even governments whose citizens had died in the event, averted their heads to the issue,” Ayatollah Khamenei lamented. “Addressing the issue in more responsible manner was a serious demand from the diplomacy arrangement of the country to prevent in the future any similar events from happening; the face evidence shows that the lackluster performance by the host country was the most effective factor; in any condition, this is not a political issue, but the lives of thousands of Muslims while observing their Hajj rituals in the attire of ihram are at stake, which should be addressed,” he demanded.


“Those countries which stir media hype for death of even single citizen adopted a policy of silence, which would serve their ally state's interest best; if they are honest in their claims, they should seek and demand identification of the possible perpetrators of the event and their retribution,” he emphasized.


“Any campaign to keep the issue alive is to raise the issue in international community which should target human rights organizations and western governments as if they had been accomplice in the event,” concluded the Leader.


 


Supreme Leader attends memorial ceremony for Mina tragedy victims


The Supreme Leader on Sunday attended memorial service held at Imam Khomeini Hosseinieh to pray for souls of the Hajj pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia.


 


The Supreme Leader on Sunday attended memorial service held at Imam Khomeini Hosseinieh to pray for souls of the Hajj pilgrims died in Saudi Arabia.


A large number of officials and people mourning the high magnitude deaths were present in memorial service.


Iran demanded the Saudi government to honor international responsibility envisaged by the International Customary Law and punish the agents involved in creating such a tragedy and hold formal inquiry in presence of representatives from Iran and the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation.


Iranian government appealed to the United Nations to hold inquiry to the human tragedy in Saudi Arabia. Iran attributed the crime to the Saudi government in line with the International Customary Law.


104 bodies of dead Iranian pilgrims arrived at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport early Saturday and another 114 bodies arrived on Sunday.


 


Mina fact-finding body must be formed: senior Iranian cleric


A fact-finding committee must be formed to investigate the recent deadly crush during the Hajj rituals in Mina, outside the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, Supreme Leader's representative for Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs said.


 


Based on the remarks made by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and other Iranian officials, a fact-finding committee must be established to look into the Mina disaster, Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Ali Qazi Askar, the Leader’s representative for hajj and pilgrimage affairs, said.


“Saudi Arabia should engage in special cooperation in determining the main culprit of the Mina incident,” Qazi-Askar stated, adding that the guilty must be dealt with “decisively”.


The crush happened on September 24 after two large masses of pilgrims fused together. Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization puts the death toll from the crush at around 4,700 people, including 464 Iranians. Saudi Arabia, however, says some 770 people have been killed.


Iran says Saudi Arabia’s incompetence in handling the safety at the rituals caused the deadly incident.


The Iranian cleric also said two groups of people lost their lives in Mina; the first died in the early moments of the tragic event due to high temperature and the crowd’s pressure, and the second succumbed to their injuries due to untimely medical care.


Qazi Askar further referred to Ayatollah Khamenei’s “decisive and brave” stance following the calamity, saying that the Leader’s remarks caused Saudi officials to accelerate the process of repatriating the bodies of Iranian victims.[1]


 


 


President Rouhani offers condolences over tragedy in Mina


Upon landing in New York, President Rouhani issued a statement on the tragic death of pilgrims near Mecca.


Upon landing in New York, President Rouhani issued a statement on the tragic death of pilgrims near Mecca.


President Rouhani issued a condoling statement upon landing in New York late on Thursday.


'The passing away of our beloved Hajj pilgrims beside the Muslim Ummah and injury of many others in Mecca is the source of regret,' the Iranian president said in his message.


Rouhani meanwhile called the Saudi government responsible for the death of thousands of Hajj pilgrims in Mina near Mecca.


President also tasked his First Vice President Eshagh Jahangiri with forming a sepecial committee to follow-up the causes of the tragedy and plan immediate assistance as soon as possible. He asserted that dispatching relief and rescue teams and in case of need sending airplanes to Saudi Arabia, dealing with the affairs of the Hajj pilgrims, injured of the incident, and dispatch of the deceased pilgrims to the country tops agenda of following up the Mina incident.


Jahangiri is also asked to inform the Iranian nation especially those who have lost dear ones in the incident on the findings of the committee.


Rouhani has also tasked provincial governors to meet with families of the deceased pilgrims to offer Presidential condolences.[2]


President Rouhani at UN: Mina deadly disaster caused by Saudi's incompetence


Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the recent deadly crush in Saudi Arabia's Mina was the result of Saudi authorities' incompetence and mismanagement.


 


The president made the remark in his speech to the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday.


He said the feelings of millions of Muslims being hurt by the incident amounts to spiritual loss which cannot be compensated for simply by material means.


“The public opinion demands that Saudi authorities discharge, without delay, their international responsibility in providing immediate consular access for the quick identification and returning of the bodies [of the diseased],” said the president.


“It is also required that the necessary conditions be provided for [conducting] an independent and precise inquiry into the causes of the [Mina] disaster and [working out] methods for preventing a repeat of that in the future,” President Rouhani added.


Iran to Continue Efforts to Shed Light on Mina Tragedy


Iranian President Hassan Rouhani made assurances that his administration is resolved to pursue the issue of a recent deadly crush in Mina, Saudi Arabia, in which hundreds of Hajj pilgrims, including 465 Iranians, were killed.


Addressing a huge gathering of people in the northern city of Sari on Monday, President Rouhani expressed sympathy with the bereaved families of the victims of the Mina tragedy and praised the stance taken by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on the issue.


“The duty of the (Iranian) administration to the victims has not been discharged completely,” he noted.


“Our follow-up efforts in diplomatic, political and even legal areas will continue until all aspects of the Mina disaster are clarified,” the president said, adding that his administration is duty-bound to make the efforts.


Iranian FM condoles families of Mena victims


Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif extended his condolences to the families of the victims of the stampede incidents of Mena rituals during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.


'This incident brought a wave of grief with itself concurrent with the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Adha in Muslim countries and the Islamic Republic of Iran,' Zarif said in his message addressed to the families of deceased Iranian Hajj pilgrims on Thursday.


He also sympathized with the victims of other Muslim countries, and said, 'In addition to formation of a special headquarters at the foreign ministry, I have started intensive political contacts from New York to expedite the identification of the victims and immediate treatment of the injured people.'


Iran's Foreign Ministry Condoles Nation on Mina Tragedy


Iranian Foreign Ministry stressed that the dimensions and circumstances of the deadly Hajj crush outside the holy city of Mecca must be clarified as soon as possible.


Iranian Foreign Ministry stressed that the dimensions and circumstances of the deadly Hajj crush outside the holy city of Mecca must be clarified as soon as possible.


In a statement released on Saturday, the ministry called on the Saudi government to take “firm measures” to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future and urged the Saudis to show full transparency on causes of the crush.


Iran holds Saudi Arabia accountable for the disastrous event, the statement said, asking Saudi authorities to make full cooperation with officials of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization to facilitate the identification of the Iranian victims.


The Iranian foreign ministry also called on Riyadh to speed up repatriation of the bodies of Iranian victims.


The statement further stressed that the victim’s families must be compensated by Saudi Arabia for the loss of their loved ones.


Iran's Deputy FM


"Saudi Arabia should be answerable to the Islamic Republic [of Iran] and other countries that could not perform a calm Hajj [ritual]," Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Thursday.


According to Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization more than 1,300 people, including 125 Iranians, were killed in a crush during Hajj pilgrimage rituals outside Mecca earlier in the day. This as Saudi officials put the death toll at 717 and the number of injured at 863.


He also said that the fatal crush started after Saudi security forces blocked two streets while the pilgrims were walking towards the final ritual of the Hajj. 


"We can by no means remain indifferent towards Saudi Arabia's irresponsible behavior," said Amir-Abdollahian, adding, “The tactlessness on the part of relevant Saudi authorities to provide security for the pilgrims cannot be overlooked.”


Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani offers condolence to Hajj stampede victims


Expediency Council Chairman Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani offered condolences to the families of killed victims in Thursday fatal stampede during this year's annual Hajj pilgrimage.


In a statement, the senior Iranian politician urged the Saudi officials to feel responsible towards the sad incidence and to explain the real causes of it to the Islamic world and the bereaved pilgrims' relatives.


Ayatollah Rafsanjani encouraged all the relief organizations to take immediate action for helping the injured.


Senior Cleric Blames Saudi Regime's Mismanagement as Cause of Mina Incident


Tehran's provisional Friday prayers leader slammed the Saudi regime for the recent deadly incidents in this year’s Hajj season, including a stampede in Mina, saying that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should manage the Hajj pilgrimage.


Tehran's provisional Friday prayers leader slammed the Saudi regime for the recent deadly incidents in this year’s Hajj season, including a stampede in Mina, saying that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should manage the Hajj pilgrimage.


Addressing worshippers here in Tehran, Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of hundreds of Hajj pilgrims, including more than 130 Iranian nationals, in the stampede in Mina, near Mecca, and said the tragic incident was indicative of the Saudi regime’s "incompetence."


The cleric further emphasized that "a firm decision" should be taken by Muslim countries over the management of Hajj pilgrimage.


“The (responsibility to) manage the Hajj pilgrimage should be given to the OIC,” he said, adding that all Islamic countries should have a sayd in the management of the religious event and even deploy security forces to Saudi Arabia.[3]


Iran to Saudi FM: Don’t test our patience


A senior Iranian official dismissed as baseless the comments by the Saudi foreign minister against the Islamic Republic, warning that there is a limit to Tehran's patience.


A senior Iranian official has dismissed as baseless the recent comments by the Saudi foreign minister against the Islamic Republic, warning that there is a limit to Tehran's patience.


"We warn Adel al-Jubeir not to test the patience of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran's deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs, said on Sunday.


He was reacting to the top Saudi diplomat’s remarks on Saturday that Riyadh hoped Tehran would use additional earnings that it would make following the implementation of its July nuclear agreement with world powers, to develop its economy "rather than for aggressive policies."


“Instead of accusation and shifting the blame [on others], the Saudi foreign minister should assume his country’s responsibility in the Mina disaster,” the Iranian official said.


On September 24, two large masses of Muslim pilgrims fused together in Mina outside the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, leading to a stampede, which, according to Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, killed around 4,700 people, including 464 Iranians.


Saudi Arabia, whose mismanagement prior to and in the aftermath of the incident has elicited widespread criticism, alleges that nearly 770 people were killed in the disaster.[4]


Iranian Parliament Speaker Condemns Saudis’ Dishonesty


Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani slammed Saudi authorities for their dishonesty regarding the death toll from a recent crush of people in Mina, near Mecca, saying that they tried to hide the gravity of the disaster.


Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani slammed Saudi authorities for their dishonesty regarding the death toll from a recent crush of people in Mina, near Mecca, saying that they tried to hide the gravity of the disaster.


Speaking in an open session of the parliament on Monday, Larijani pointed to the recent deadly crush in Mina, which led to the deaths of over 4000 Hajj pilgrims, saying the Saudis were not honest about the death toll and until a few days ago, they claimed that only 750 people lost their lives in the tragedy.


He further emphasized that foreign pressures forced the Saudi government to announce that the crush left 750 killed.


“Why did you hide (the magnitude of the incident)?” he asked Saudi authorities, referring to the death toll earlier announced by the Iranian officials.


Such behavior and dishonesty indicate that the Saudi regime has been plagued by political turmoil, he said.[5]


 


 


Iranian Judiciary expects international community appropriate response to Hajj tragedy


The Iranian Judiciary says it expects the international community to appropriately react to the tragic crush of September 24 in Mina, near the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.


The Iranian Judiciary says it expects the international community to appropriately react to the tragic crush of September 24 in Mina, near the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.


“We expect the international bodies and those who claim to advocate human rights to have a good reaction to the occurrence of the Mina catastrophe,” Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejeie, the spokesman for Iran’s Judiciary, said on Sunday.


“This disaster, which happened on the day of Eid al-Adha (the Feast of the Sacrifice) was a big crime and a tragic event; and it is self-evident that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the bereaved families cannot get over the grief,” the spokesman said.


He said the Tehran’s Judiciary Department is currently investigating the issue and is taking measures so that the families of the victims – in case of having any complaints about the incident – can file them.


He went on to say that the perpetrators of the “appalling tragedy” must be brought to justice, adding that Tehran has launched a probe to identify those responsible for the incident and hopes that other Islamic countries take similar measures.


The crush reportedly took place after two large masses of pilgrims converged at a crossroads in Mina, a few kilometers east of the holy city of Mecca, during the symbolic ceremony of the stoning of Satan in Jamarat.[6]


Iran's Attorney General


Country’s attorney-general has told reporters all government authorities should address the rights of families of Mina incident victims.


 


Country’s attorney-general has told reporters all government authorities should address the rights of families of Mina incident victims.


Hojjatoleslam Ebrahim Raeisi who was speaking to the press after a session specially met to examine the legal aspects of the Mina incident on Wednesday, said that several meetings had collected the expert advice and comments of judges of country’s Supreme Court and international law experts as well on the Mina incident; “today’s session brought together engaged authorities, inter alia, presidential deputy for legal affairs, foreign ministry, Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, and other responsible bodies; foreign ministry is definitely the pioneer of international addressing of the issue; however, Saudi government should know that the establishment of a truth-finding committee has our support yet, and we believe that it is a necessity,” Raeisi told reporters.


“The footages recorded from Mina incident should be given to Iran and other countries whose Hajj pilgrims have been killed to rule out the possibility that even a tinge of evidence remains outside of the investigations; the truth-finding committee would be of great help on this issue; Saudis on the other hand should understand that the passing of the time will add to our resolve to address Mina incident, and that it would not be forgotten any time soon,” he emphasized.


“During the first two or three days of the incident, I sent a letter to Saudi attorney-general demanding that they investigate all aspects of the issue, and file lawsuits against possible perpetrators, albeit with little hope that Saudi officials have the necessary will to do that,” said the attorney-general, “we would sue Saudi government in international criminal courts should Saudis failed to effectively address the issue of paying recompenses for the families of the victims and turn a blind eye to demands that the perpetrators be tried,” he added.


“The UN has a duty to bring the issue of security and safety of Hajj pilgrims to its Security Council agenda; we examined similar cases where the UN had in the past established truth-finding committee; we also examined possible roles to be played by ICC (International Criminal Court) and ICJ (International Court of Justice); the internaitola community is accountable in Mina incident,” Raeisi told reporters, highlighting the role of foreign ministry as the pioneer body in addressing the issue.


“We expect to see that Saudi Arabia seriously addresses the issue and officially communicates the results of probable trial and hearing sessions; however, with few days since the incident, no indication would signal to us that Saudi Arabian officials actually have that seriousness we expected,” he lamented.[7]


Saudi Mismanagement, Imprudence behind Mina Crush


Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan on Sunday referred to the imprudence and mismanagement of Saudi authorities as the main causes of a recent crush outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in which hundreds of Hajj pilgrims lost their lives.


Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan on Sunday referred to the imprudence and mismanagement of Saudi authorities as the main causes of a recent crush outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in which hundreds of Hajj pilgrims lost their lives.


The Saudi rulers’ mismanagement and imprudence are behind the tragic incident in Mina which brought pain to the hearts of the Islamic Ummah (community), Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said in response to a condolence message by Lebanon’s Defense Minister Samir Moqbel following the deadly crush.


 “This tragic disaster, along with Saudi rulers’ inhumane crimes against the oppressed and defenseless people of Yemen, reminds one of the Zionist regime’s cruel atrocities in Lebanon and Palestine,” he said.


The Iranian defense minister further stressed that the Saudi crimes set the alarm bells ringing for the Islamic countries, adding that they need to put an end to the crimes vigilantly and tactfully.


He further called on Muslim countries to follow up on the tragedy and form a fact-finding commission to prevent the repetition of such tragedies in the future.[8]


Iran's Shamkhani Urges Saudis’ Accountability on Mina Crush


Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council has said that the Saudi government must be held accountable for investigating the status of the missing pilgrims and take necessary measures by accepting its responsibility.


On the sidelines of the funeral ceremony for the victims of Mina Tragedy on Sunday, Ali Shamkhani pointed to the continuous efforts of Iran’s government for the identification and transfer of those who were killed in Mina incident and stated that, “the announced statistics belong to the victims whose bodies have been identified and there exist pilgrims with unidentified bodies who are considered as missing.”


The official stressed Iran’s unchanging sensitivity on issue of missing people in the accident and expressed hope that the Saudi government will take up necessary cooperative measures by taking responsibility of the missing pilgrims.


Shamkhani deemed Saudi Arabia’s effort to find the exact cause of the disaster and punishment of those responsible for the tragedy as the first step and as a sign of respect on the part of Saudi government towards its legal and religious responsibilities and asserted that, “Saudi Arabia’s mismanagement and incompetence in dealing with the incident has reached to extremes that other hypotheses cannot be ruled out.”


Underlining that the tragic disaster has caused a huge moral damage to Islam, he concluded that, “terrorist activities carried out by Takfiri groups combined with tragic images of forced migration of the oppressed Syrian Muslims as well as incompetency in conducting Hajj rituals have offered an inappropriate and unrealistic image of Islam to the world.”[9]


| Content ID: 95943







Users Comments