Stubborn Iran keeps its pilgrims deprived of Haj

JEDDAH: The Haj and Umrah Ministry has said the Iranian Haj delegation was playing politics by refusing to sign the minutes of an agreement negotiated earlier this week between the two sides.

That would have allowed 63,000 of its citizens to perform the pilgrimage this year.
In a statement issued on Friday, the ministry stated that the delegation had been involved in lengthy meetings in Jeddah on Wednesday and Thursday and had reached agreement in principle on several contentious issues.
However, on Friday the Iranian delegation said they wanted to leave the Kingdom and not sign the minutes of the agreement. The ministry said it was saddened by the delegation’s refusal to do so, and that they were now answerable to Allah for the decision.
The ministry stated that the decision was a clear indication that Tehran wanted to politicize Haj, which has been rejected by the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia remains committed to serving pilgrims from across the world, and making the journey safe and comfortable for them, it said.
The ministry stated that the Iranian delegation had been made comfortable during their stay while in Jeddah, including having arrangements made for members to perform Umrah.
There had been intense discussions on Wednesday and Thursday on all issues, included having visas issued for Iranian pilgrims by the Swiss Embassy in their country, acting on behalf of the Saudi government, and equal division of pilgrims between the Saudi and Iranian national carriers.