Iran Will Not Participate in Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia

02-600Muslims in Iran are expected to skip this year’s hajj pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia oversees the pilgrimage to Mecca by more than two million Muslims from around the world. Iran says the Saudis could not guarantee the safety of its citizens and is to blame. Saudi Arabia, in turn, accused Iran of depriving its citizens of an important religious duty. Hundreds of Iranians died in a crush in last year’s haj. Iran boycotted the haj for three years after 402 pilgrims, mostly Iranians, died in clashes in Mecca in 1987.

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