Mecca-Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz Al Asheikh, who serves as Saudi Arabian Minister of Islamic affairs, confirmed that Iranian regime’s attempt to politicize Hajj is not accepted and that millions of pilgrims who come every year to perform their rituals should not end up listening to the Iranian slogans of political agendas; noting that “Iranian regime that criticizes Saudi Arabia is a failure and cannot but threaten and deliver speeches.”

Asheikh said, in a press conference on Wednesday, that Iran today has great animosity against Muslims and it does not want Hajj to pass safely.

Muslims of the world fully trust and acknowledge the services rendered by the Saudi government toward the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims, added the grand mufti.

On Monday, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef had dismissed Iranian criticism of Saudi Hajj management.

“There is no credibility in their claims and they know well that the Kingdom offers excellent services to all pilgrims, including Iranians,” he said.

Saudi Arabia, led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, has spared no effort in providing state-of-the-art services for the safety, comfort and security of all pilgrims, said the Crown Prince.

The Kingdom will remain firm and steadfast in dealing with any threat that may disrupt the pilgrimage, added the Crown Prince.

“The Iranian Hajj mission made certain requests that were in violation of Hajj regulations,” he said.

“They were demanding things that jeopardize the security of other pilgrims.”

Al Asheikh said the Crown Prince’s statement has silenced every word any of the officials of the Iranian regime uttered with the aim of destabilizing Hajj this year.

The minister stressed that Hajj ought to be for the sake of Allah Almighty alone.

The evidence and consensus opinion of the Ulamas confirm this.

Therefore, a Muslim cannot accept that Hajj should be used for upholding slogans or for interests of a certain sect or faction.

Al Asheikh said the Kingdom is keen to make Hajj free of any slogan of pre-Islamic eras. It strives to make sure that all Muslims in Hajj are treated equally.