Iran-Turkey video talks on upcoming Hajj
Iranian and Turkish Hajj officials exchanged views on the upcoming Hajj process in a virtual meeting.
As reported by Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Information Base, Hajj officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Turkey participated in a video conference and discussed future Hajj.
At the video conference, Supreme Leader's Representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs and Supervisor of Iranian Pilgrims Hojjat al-Islam Seyed Abdolfattah Navvab, chairman of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Mr. Ali Reza Rashidian, head of Turkish Religious Affairs and Hajj Organization Professor Ali Arbash and director general of Turkey Hajj and Umrah Organization Mr. Ramzi Birjan shared their views about the upcoming Hajj.
The two sides also stressed their readiness to consult and exchange views in order to prepare ground for holding this great spiritual congress in circumstances that coronavirus have affected all the world.
Stating that Iran and Turkey as two neighbor and pioneer countries can play a great role in the field of Hajj and Umrah in the Islamic world, Supreme Leader’ representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs stressed: to form working groups and cooperation can lead to using the experiences of two countries in optimizing the Hajj.
Hojjat al-Islam Navvab, pointing out that the human test of corona vaccine made in Iran have been started, added: necessary measures have been taken to obtain opinion of the Maraji’ to perform Hajj in emergency conditions caused by the corona and the necessary procedures and also in terms of health, the necessary procedures and solutions have been prepared.
Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization has also formed 21 working groups to study how to operate in emergency situations so that Hajj can be performed well in the corona situation, he added.
Professor Arbash also at this meeting considered the outbreak of Corona to deprive Muslims of gathering in Kaaba and Prophet's Mosque last year and welcomed the exchange of experiences between two countries in the field of Hajj.
Head of Turkish Religious Affairs Organization also mentioned Iran and Turkey as two leading countries in the field of Hajj and expressed hope that actions and preparations of two countries will be a model for other Islamic countries.
Chairman of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization also considered cooperation between Islamic countries and Saudi Arabia to hold Hajj ritual as a necessity at this virtual meeting and said: "We are ready to cooperate with Turkish Hajj officials and have prepare instructions on the subject of Hajj."
Referring to readiness and expectations of two countries’ pilgrims last year and late announcement that the Hajj will not be held, Mr. Rashidian clarified: Saudi side has not yet officially determined the time of upcoming Hajj talks, either in person or in absentia.
Director General of Turkey Hajj and Umrah Organization also referred to the measures taken to strengthen the necessary training for pilgrims of this country due to the continuation of Corona disease and said: "Now that Hajj is closed, we are trying to strengthen our infrastructure in this area."
He also announced plans to hold an international meeting by inviting those involved in Hajj affairs in April and said: "In the current situation, we are considering how to deal with corona crisis."
