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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's top cleric said Iranians are “not Muslims”, after Iran's supreme leader launched a fresh tirade over the kingdom's handling of the Haj pilgrimage, a newspaper reported on Tuesday.
“We must understand these are not Muslims, they are children of Magi and their hostility towards Muslims is an old one. Especially with the people of Sunna,” Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh told Makkah daily, referring to pre-Islamic beliefs in Iran.
The grand mufti's comments came a day after Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the Muslim world should challenge Saudi management of Islam's two holiest sites in Makkah and Medina.
The verbal sparring, ahead of the annual Haj which this year starts on Saturday, follows months of tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
“Because of Saudi rulers' oppressive behaviour towards God's guests, the world of Islam must fundamentally reconsider the management of the two holy places and the issue of Haj,” Khamenei wrote on his website.
He reserved some of his harshest words for Riyadh's response to last year's Haj stampede which killed 2,297 pilgrims, according to a toll compiled from foreign officials.
Iran said its nationals accounted for 464 of the dead.
Khamenei said the Saudis did not prosecute those at fault for the stampede, accused them of showing no remorse and said Riyadh had “refused to allow an international Islamic fact-finding committee”.
After reviewing security forces assigned to protect the Haj, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef said later Monday that the kingdom had “spared no effort to provide state-of-the-art services for the safety, comfort and security of all pilgrims”.
For the first time in almost three decades, Iranians will not participate in this year's pilgrimage to Mecca after talks on logistics and security fell apart.
Riyadh said Tehran had made “unacceptable” demands, including the right to organise demonstrations “that would cause chaos”.
Prince Mohammed reiterated those concerns.
He charged that Iran was making “efforts to politicise Haj and convert it into an occasion to violate the teachings of Islam, through shouting slogans and disturbing the security of pilgrims”.
Sheikh said such efforts would fail “because all Muslims trust what the (Saudi) government is doing” in providing services for pilgrims and with its work to improve facilities at the holy sites.
Saudi Arabia says Iranian pilgrims are still welcome if they travel from other countries.
Riyadh and Tehran are at odds over a raft of regional issues, notably the conflicts in Syria and Yemen in which they support opposing sides.
Riyadh severed diplomatic relations with Tehran in January after protesters attacked its embassy and a consulate in Iran after the execution of a prominent Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia.
Comments (83) Closed
Atleast the Grand Mufti should stay away from controversies, it does not reflect well on his stature.
It is very unfortunate that Muslims are calling other Muslims as Non Muslims. We do not No need outside enemy.
Both countries are equally responsible for the suffering of millions of people in the middle east.
Haj is very important and unity among Islamic countries is also important. Countries like Pakistan and Turkey should play their role.
For over 1000 years, Iranians have always been recognized as Muslims by each and every Islamic country, now this grand Mufti is declaring them none Muslims. Very very strange and incredible pronouncement.
Being a suuni , I would still support Iranian point of view of proper investigation of 454 Iranian who died last year. If other Muslims countries don't care about their citizens , it does not mean Iranian government should do the same.
Mecca and Madina should be declared independant and governed by world body or by country on rotation...No single country should have permanent control on them.. also all Islamic countries should free visas system and distribute resources and funds...share labor ,resources, money etc etc on equal basis
Seriously!!! Power play and divisions even in the holiest places.....disgraceful!
Nobody gets to decide who is real and who is not!
Now that is something outrageous and below the belt. It should not become Indian serials "saas babu" fight.
Now, I hope Pakistani will not get caught in SA, Iranian raw. We need to balance our policies and thinking. Do not take sides. Both are important neighbors for us regardless of religious deference of opinions.
Please don't fight, we are all brothers! We have more serious issue to handle as islamic community! One by one each Islamic state is being targeted, we common enemy to deal with! Please focus at the right direction!
Both of these countries are using religion for their own political purpose. Things will turn sour soon for both of them.
Nobody was Muslim 1400 years before. Not Iranians not Saudis. Btw who is he to decide and label people as non Muslims?
One fact that Medina and Macca is in Suidi Arabia. Iran should know about this fact. So, it is kindness of Suidis that they are managing the holy places with generosity and allow muslims from other countries to do Hajj and Umrah. So be thankful. Rest I do not understand.
And he gets to decide who is Muslim or who is not. Double standards.
What a sad situation , Haj is being exploited in the name of politics.
Shame. OIC should demand Saudi Arabia to tender a formal apology to the whole Muslim world. Sunni and Shia are brothers
How easy it is to get declassified in the world of Unman...and we blame foreign powers.
What an irresponsible statement from the grand mufti of Saudi Arabia.
Omg. He didnt say that.
Unbelievable
Iranians think the same way about the Saudis. The hatred is mutual. Nothing new, frankly.
That is atrocious
What a shame Instead of analysing issues Mufti resorts raising the ante by calling Shias non-Muslims. Truly saddened by increasing non tolerance amongst the believers.
The conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia is more political than religious. As always leaders have different agendas than what they portray on the official version. Anyway all Muslims condem any violence connected with performance of Hajj.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are the main culprits of differences in the Muslim ummah.
No sheikh Mufti Abdulaziz this is not good, Iranian are the best muslim similar to all world including Saudi we all believe that Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is last prophet. There are some difference between Muslim, Saudi vs Yemen, Syria. Muslim of world are with Iran and with Saudi Arabia.
Stop mud slinging at each other. We need need unity amongst Muslim brotherhood. Ìf we fail to unite amongst ourselves, the non Muslim world will take advantage. Òur beloved Prophet taught us to respect all religion.
In time of crisis in Middle East and IS keen on maligning Islam and peaceful path it represent, all Muslims must unite to fight these evil forces. This rehetoric in politics between Saudi and Iran should not be mixed with religion and sacred ritual Haj. These divisive statements shall be welcomed by IS and forces opposing Islam.
Irony is this mufti have millions of followers worldwide wo will find some logic in this statement too..
Saudis should hand over the management to Bangladesh who manages world's largest congregation of tablighi ijtema each year without any incident yet. Last year 400 Bangladeshi hajis lost their lives owing to Saudis mismanagement.
@Umar Kan ... I completely agree with Umar
I disagree with mufti!
I don't want to follow such irresponsible people.
What will be the impact of this fatwa?
Geo-strategic and regional politics should be kept aside, we must promote strong Muslim brotherhood.
Are any religion not taught us to live peacefully with all human being despite cast color,creed ,religion and nationality????
The clerics of highest repute should abstain from issuing such irresponsible statements. It could heighten animosity among various sects.
@Umar Kan Being Sunni I have same view regarding Iranian Government demand and I also condemn this statement of Grand Mufti of calling Iranian non Muslim.
I am a Sunni... But Grand Mufti should realize his importance and not indulge himself in hate speech...
Being a sunni, I denounce what this grand mufti has stated against Iranians. Please don't mix politics with religion.
Don't listen to these clerics, they are destroying the world and keeping us backwards.
Pakistan should stay away from these two nations, who call themselves the so called the custodian of Islam, they are arrogant leaders.
@Umar Kan best comment
Politics and religion have , with a few exceptions here and there perhaps , always played a destructive role in almost all societies . What is happening today around the world is nothing new .
@Rao this is a very reasonable demand
@Rao very viable
@Journal_Pasha wish all could think on the same page
Both Iran and Saudi Arabia are the main cause of sufferings that we see in Iraq and Syria and some other Muslim countries.
Saudi Arabians and Iranians are all Muslims. Many of them are very good Muslims.
scholars are suppose to unite not divide specially the religious ones ... what is wrong with us..
@Journal_Pasha " Sunni and Shia are brothers". Yes indeed but this very fact is not liked by anti-Islam forces annd vested interests and are trying various tricks to create split in the Ummah.
There are 71 groups of sects in Islam, all saying we are Muslims. Its ok! We do not like judgmental on this issue, and also we are not judge to say, who is muslim and who is not. We have to leave this matter to God, He is the one tell the right who is who. We have to perform our Haj as peacefully as possible.
@Umar Kan agree with you saudis must address Iran concern.
Let us have census on this.
very sad
Statements given in rage lead to communal impact. Mufti should have said a Muslim will never demand such errands. A small clearance from Mufti can ease tense situations. All Muslims in House of Almighty are one and same.
@Rao Very valid suggestion.
It is so heart breaking to see two muslim countries pitted against each other rather than to each other. Sanity and tolerance should prevail.
i am sad on where we all have reached we are not united as Muslims and unfortunately our enemies have a common goal "Destroy Muslims" Iraq,Syria,Lebanon,Libya,and Yemen are examples 10 years ago they all were prospering nations. Are we blind or deaf or mad why cant we see all this before labelling each other NON MUSLIMS .Please dear brothers think , feel and UNITE.
He got no rights to call someone non-muslim. Very sad to hear that...
@Jawad My dear first understand full situation then comment.
Really a Pathetic affairs.
Sad statement. Iranians are muslims. No if's, and's or but's about it.
It does not matter who you are, you do not have the right to determine who is a Muslim or whose not, we do not and cannot make that distinction, we cannot judge, we cannot act like we are better, there is only ONE to judge us on judgement day. Until than, everyone is equal, created by GOD, Muslim, Hindu, Christian or Jew. The sooner we accept that, the more peaceful the world will become.
@Jesus Christ Pakistan should stay out of it.
This is un-called for. Creating more in-fighting instead trying to win each other hearts This is not the way to go forward
Perhaps, Iran should stop interfering in internal affairs of Other countries
Talk about real issues Mufti. This can wait.
Iranian criticism of Saudi Arabia is like the pot calling the kettle black; maybe Iran should stop their murderous agenda in Syria and the Saudis should finally pay up the compensation King Salman had announced for victims and their relatives which has not been paid to a single person.
@ahsan7979 -- Perhaps Saudi should stay out of Pakistan and stop monopolizing every other Muslim country.
This simply proves the importance of separating religion from politics, as practiced in civilized nations.
@Salman from Lahore one side is using not two....
@Lahori Kid -- I am with you Lahori !!!
It is a generally accepted fact that anyone who believes in The Five Pillars of Islam ie 1) Shahadah 2)Salat 3)Zakah 4)Fasting and 5)Hajj is a Muslim . Both Suuni & Shia agree and perform these essentials .
So now something new has started to cook
It is so sad.
no one has right to stop others to perform Hajj. why Saudi government and Muftee are doing this, is nothing but against sprit and teachings of islam.
@Lahori Kid I so agree.
Strongly condemn this so-called mufti's statement!
Iran and SA are harming Islam by these kinds of political statements. Please keep calm in the month of Hajj.
@Baaligh ---agree with it and sad