Saudi Mufti And Officials’ Dispute Over Holding Hajj 2016
MEP: There are three months left to the biggest ritual in Islamic world. The ritual is held in Mecca, Saudi Arabia where Kaaba is located. Reports are telling of great deals of disagreements between Saudi officials and extremist muftis.
A large part of disagreements come from the question of whether inviting Iranian pilgrims to perform this year’s ritual. It seems that Wahhabi muftis and the royal family is opposing to the invitation.
Extremist Wahhabi muftis and religious leaders are pressuring the Saudi king to exclude any Shia, especially Iranian, from hajj 2016. They are trying to create an atmosphere of religious violence to deprive Iranian pilgrims of their right to do their yearly ritual and visiting holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
The culmination of these disagreements can be seen in harsh comments of the Saudi Mufti Abdul Aziz al Sheikh, claiming Iranians and Shias as apostate. The extremist muftis are actually forcing Saudi authorities, faking their own opinion as the public view of Shias.
On the other hand, Iranian officials are emphasizing to participate in this obligatory religious duty, asking Saudi authorities to provide a secure Hajj.
