Iran , Iraq Hajj officials regret over the Hajj re-closure

As reported by Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Information Base, Supreme Leader's Representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs and Supervisor of Iranian Pilgrims Hojjat al-Islam Seyed Abdolfattah Navvab in a telephone call with chairman of Iraq’s Supreme Council of Hajj and Umrah, Hojjat al-Islam Sami Masoudi, stated: The will of Hajj and Pilgrimage officials of Islamic Republic of Iran is brotherly and close cooperation with Iraq in matters related to Hajj and Pilgrimage.

Head of the Iranian pilgrims by stating that the security and stability of the two important and friendly Islamic countries of West Asia, Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran, are intertwined; stressed:  we welcome the expansion of cooperation between the two sides in the field of Hajj and Pilgrimage.

Historical relations and the high volume of pilgrims and tourists of two countries, show the cultural connection and the interest of two nations to each other, he added.

So far, effective measures have been taken in the field of scientific, cultural and research activities between the Hajj organizations of the two countries, and we hope the resumption of pilgrimage between the two countries as soon as possible with the end of the coronavirus, Hojjat al-Islam Navvab said.

He expressed hope that with the cooperation of Islamic Republic of Iran and the government of Iraq relevant authorities, the necessary coordination will be made regarding the resumption of the pilgrims' journey to Atabat and holding Arbaeen ceremony.

Supreme Leader's Representative in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs also praised the cooperation and empathy of the Iraqi people and government, noting: Iraqi people’ hospitality to the pilgrims of Hosseini  Arbaeen is very sincere and arises from the Ashura spirit of Imam Hussein (AS) lovers and is unique in the world.

"Unfortunately, for the second year in a row, pilgrims except Saudi Arabia were barred from performing  Hajj al-Tamattu’ rituals," he said; emphasizing once again, Saudi Arabia announced this issue with a delay, and this year, the Hajj ceremony will be held only with the presence of a small number of pilgrims.

Supervisor of Iranian Pilgrims said: as last year, Saudi Arabia was very reluctant to announce the terms and conditions of the Hajj and without consulting Islamic countries, as last year, restricted Hajj to its citizens or residents. While Saudi Arabia could receive a limited number of pilgrims from foreign countries.

In the phone call, Iraq’s Supreme Council of Hajj and Umrah criticized the closure of the upcoming Hajj and called on all Islamic countries to express their official views in this regard, and Saudi Arabia to anticipate the necessary measures for next year's Hajj.

Hojjat al-Islam Sami Masoudi, while congratulating the victory of Islamic Resistance and the successful holding of the Khordad 28 elections and the success of Islamic Republic of Iran among the Islamic countries in developing the corona virus vaccine, expressed hope that relations between Iran and Iraq will expand.

Referring to the achievements of the Palestinian resistance in the 12-day war with the Zionist regime, Supervisor of Iranian pilgrims stated: "the only way to repel the enemy is resistance, and supporting the resistance front is one of the necessities of Islamic world today and should be considered."