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Saudi warning over Hajj politics

Extracted From : http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/8339936.stm
Published: 2009/11/03 13:22:07 GMT

Saudi Arabia has warned pilgrims not to stage protests at the

Hajj, a challenge to Iran which believes the event has political and
spiritual dimensions.
A statement by the Saudi cabinet did not mention Iran, but followed
remarks by Iran's leaders about the pilgrimage. Supreme leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Shia Muslims should show they were
addressing challenges to their unity. The Sunni-led Saudi government
said political disturbances distract pilgrims and put their safety at risk.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tehran would take
"appropriate measures" if Iranian pilgrims faced any restrictions
during the pilgrimage. Meanwhile Ayatollah Khamenei called on the
Saudi authorities to take action against alleged mistreatment of Shia
Muslims in the country. In 1987 Shia Muslims, mostly from Iran,
clashed with Saudi Arabian police during an anti-US protest at the
Hajj, resulting in the deaths of 402 people. There have been no major
Shia protests since then and Saudi forces have increased security at
the event. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims have begun to gather in
the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia ahead of the
peak of Hajj observance which this year falls at the end of November.
Every year about two million Muslims, both Sunnis and Shia, from
around the world converge on Mecca to participate in the ceremonies.

*** 03.11.09-10-030 Saudi warning over Hajj politics Dawat -e-Fikr November 2009 ***