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Iranians protest against Saudi Arabia before hajj pilgrimage Iranians protest against Saudi Arabia before hajj pilgrimage
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of Iranians have marched through the streets to protest against Saudi Arabia before the hajj, a sign of soured relations between the two countries following last year’s crush and stampede during the annual pilgrimage. Thousands of Iranians have marched through the streets to protest against Saudi Arabia before the hajj, a sign of soured relations between the two countries after last year’s crush and stampede during the annual pilgrimage.
Iranians will not be taking part in this year’s hajj, required of all able-bodied Muslims once in their life, over tensions between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran, regional rivals divided over a host of issues.Iranians will not be taking part in this year’s hajj, required of all able-bodied Muslims once in their life, over tensions between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran, regional rivals divided over a host of issues.
Demonstrators waved signs after Friday prayers depicting the Saudi King Salman holding a bloody sword, his head wrapped in an American flag and his shirt bearing a blue Star of David similar to that on the Israeli flag.Demonstrators waved signs after Friday prayers depicting the Saudi King Salman holding a bloody sword, his head wrapped in an American flag and his shirt bearing a blue Star of David similar to that on the Israeli flag.
“Death to Al Saud and the traitors,” protesters in Tehran shouted. State media reported similar protests across the country.“Death to Al Saud and the traitors,” protesters in Tehran shouted. State media reported similar protests across the country.
“We don’t have any problems with the people of Saudi Arabia. They are Sunnis and are our brothers,” the protester Habibullah Abulfazli said. “But the Al Saud family are puppets of Britain and America. They are fighting proxy wars against Shias and against all Muslims.”“We don’t have any problems with the people of Saudi Arabia. They are Sunnis and are our brothers,” the protester Habibullah Abulfazli said. “But the Al Saud family are puppets of Britain and America. They are fighting proxy wars against Shias and against all Muslims.”
Tensions soared in January after the kingdom executed a prominent Saudi Shia cleric. Angry demonstrators later attacked two Saudi diplomatic posts in Iran and Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with the country. The two countries also support opposing sides in the civil wars in Syria and Yemen.Tensions soared in January after the kingdom executed a prominent Saudi Shia cleric. Angry demonstrators later attacked two Saudi diplomatic posts in Iran and Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with the country. The two countries also support opposing sides in the civil wars in Syria and Yemen.
In their recent criticisms, Iranian officials have focused on the stampede and crush of pilgrims on 24 September last year that killed at least 2,426 people, according to an Associated Press count. Tehran has said the disaster killed 464 Iranians.In their recent criticisms, Iranian officials have focused on the stampede and crush of pilgrims on 24 September last year that killed at least 2,426 people, according to an Associated Press count. Tehran has said the disaster killed 464 Iranians.
The official Saudi toll of 769 people killed and 934 injured has not changed since 26 September. The kingdom has never addressed the discrepancy, nor has it released any results of an investigation authorities promised to conduct into the disaster.The official Saudi toll of 769 people killed and 934 injured has not changed since 26 September. The kingdom has never addressed the discrepancy, nor has it released any results of an investigation authorities promised to conduct into the disaster.
On Monday, the Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei raised the stakes in the dispute by saying Saudi officials had “murdered” hajj pilgrims who were injured in the stampede. Saudi’s grand mufti countered by claiming that Iranians were “not Muslims”.On Monday, the Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei raised the stakes in the dispute by saying Saudi officials had “murdered” hajj pilgrims who were injured in the stampede. Saudi’s grand mufti countered by claiming that Iranians were “not Muslims”.
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran have periodically simmered and cooled since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution installed its Shia cleric-ruled democracy. The hajj, which begins on Saturday this year, has not been spared.Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran have periodically simmered and cooled since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution installed its Shia cleric-ruled democracy. The hajj, which begins on Saturday this year, has not been spared.
In 1987, Iranian pilgrims fought Saudi riot police in clashes that killed at least 402 people. Iran said 600 of its pilgrims had been killed and police had fired machine guns at the crowd. Iran did not send pilgrims to the hajj in 1988 and 1989, while Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties over the violence and Iranian attacks on shipping in the Gulf during the Iran-Iraq war.In 1987, Iranian pilgrims fought Saudi riot police in clashes that killed at least 402 people. Iran said 600 of its pilgrims had been killed and police had fired machine guns at the crowd. Iran did not send pilgrims to the hajj in 1988 and 1989, while Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties over the violence and Iranian attacks on shipping in the Gulf during the Iran-Iraq war.
Iran has called for an independent body to take over administering the five-day hajj, something the Al Saud family has refused. Its overseeing of Islamic holy sites, along with its oil wealth, gives the kingdom major influence in the Muslim world.Iran has called for an independent body to take over administering the five-day hajj, something the Al Saud family has refused. Its overseeing of Islamic holy sites, along with its oil wealth, gives the kingdom major influence in the Muslim world.
During Friday’s protests, demonstrators also shouted slogans against the US and Britain, long targets of suspicion among Iranian hardliners. But protesters saved their harshest criticism for Saudi Arabia.During Friday’s protests, demonstrators also shouted slogans against the US and Britain, long targets of suspicion among Iranian hardliners. But protesters saved their harshest criticism for Saudi Arabia.
“They have stabbed Muslims in the heart,” the protester Zabihullah Pirhayati said.“They have stabbed Muslims in the heart,” the protester Zabihullah Pirhayati said.