Iranian politicisation of Hajj slammed by MPs

Manama : Two Bahraini MPs accused Iran of misusing religious matters like Hajj to serve its political ambitions in the region.

Parliament’s Human Rights Committee member Mohammed Al Maarifi and Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee member Jamal Buhassan criticised how “Iran is politicising Hajj rites to settle political scores.”

Expressing his discontent from Iranian stances, Al Maarifi rejected Iran’s underestimation of the huge efforts paid annually by Saudi Arabia to organise the rites of Hajj, following the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Buhassan shared harsher statements while addressing the Iranian regime, saying, “What do you know about Islam?”

The MPs’ statements followed the recent disagreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran after mutual negotiations over the entry conditions of Iranian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia came to a dead-end.

Al Maarifi said, “Despite the ripped-apart political relations between both countries, Saudi Arabia offered remarkable facilitation to Iranian pilgrims so they can perform the rites of Hajj in peace. However, the Iranian regime surprisingly decided to halt all talks with Saudi Arabia in regards to the entry of Iranian pilgrims to Saudi. This makes them (Iranians) responsible for depriving their citizens of performing one of the main pillars of Islam.”

Sharing a similar opinion, Buhassan said, “The people of Iran are victims of the reckless and arrogant acts of their government, which deprived them of performing Hajj this year, only to create more political crisis with Saudi Arabia.”

Both MPs criticised in separate statements the Iranian support to humanitarian crimes committed in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Bahrain.

DT News reported on Tuesday that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa stressed on Bahrain’s support to Saudi Arabia’s right to take all actions pertaining to Hajj arrangements to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

While chairing the weekly Cabinet on Monday, HM the King reiterated Bahrain’s rejection of any attempt to politicise Hajj, at the same time he lauded the services delivered by Saudi Arabia to Hajj pilgrims and its unwavering efforts in organising Hajj affairs and ensuring easy rituals for pilgrims.

Saudi Arabia and several Muslim and Arab countries, including Bahrain, cut all political ties with Iran after the Saudi embassy and consulate in Iran were burnt down by allegedly “uncontrolled protestors.” 

The procedures against Iran also included halting all flights to-and-from Iranian soil, as a result of the latter’s leniency towards the issue.