Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei issued a message addressing the Muslim around the world during the Hajj 2021. Khamenei reiterated the role of the United States in regional crises and appreciated “resistance” activism against it.
Ali Khamenei, Iranian Supreme Leader, in a message to Hajj pilgrims stressed on the significance of passing from a past in which the western dominance comprised the status quo of Islamic world. Scientists, politicians, religious scholars, and political parties were among the interlocutors of Khamenei’s message.
Ayatollah Khamenei also reiterated the significance of resistance against western powers. America’s interference and evil plots for the Muslim nations faced the resistance in the past decade. The failure in confrontation with resistance has infuriated the United States and its allies.
Iranian supreme leader also added that the unfortunate incidents in the Islamic world, scientific insularity, political dependency, and socioeconomic issues point the Islamic nations toward a huge responsibility and a never-ending effort.
Developments in regional countries, according to Iranian supreme leader, has roots in American interference and violating the local determinations. Khamenei made mention of Palestine, Yemen, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq as examples. The rise of the resistance forces was the light at the end of the tunnel in Islamic countries, he further noticed.
Iranian supreme leader also referred to the humiliating withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. ” It remained caught in a swamp after the boisterous invasion 20 years ago. After using guns and explosives against innocent people and civilians, US ultimately withdrew its soldiers from Afghanistan,” Khamenei emphasized.
At the beginning of his message, Khamenei referred to the deprivation of Muslims from participating in Hajj. Due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, Saudi Arabia has announced it will accept no foreign pilgrim for Hajj 2021. Last year, a second policy was adopted by the monarchy.
Unfair and Irresponsible
The Saudi policy for hajj 2021 faced criticism from across the Islamic nations. Saudi Arabia holds Hajj 2021 with more than 60 thousand local pilgrims. The critics believe the decision is discriminatory as the foreign pilgrims of the same size could be accepted with similar measures against the infection.
Other critics say Saudi incompetence in holding the festival more than eight months after the vaccination kicked off isn’t ignorable. A few weeks ago, fans were able to watch the games at EURO 2020 in the stadiums. The scene of stadiums loaded with fans in England and other countries puts a dire reality before Muslims: Saudi Arabia has made no achievement in holding Hajj after decades.
Iranian supreme leader’s in the early line of the message referred to the potential mismanagement of Saudi officials. “The pandemic’s tribulations, as well as policies controlling the Holy Kabah, have prevented ardent worshipers from viewing the Islamic nation’s emblem of solidarity, glory, and devotion,” Khamenei said.
Saudi Arabia has a long history in Hajj mismanagement during the past decades. The monarchy’s awful planning, unregulated construction, and irresponsible conduct has led to unforgettable disasters.
Since 1990, stampede during Hajj festival claimed the lives of thousands of pilgrims. The worshippers from across the Islamic nations were witnesses to these disasters for at least 9 times. The Saudi lack of preparation after such disasters is startling.
A most recent incident occurred in 2015 when crush and stampede in Mina, Mecca killed thousands. The Saudi Vice Minister of Health officially announced 4,173 people dead in a press release after the incident. The official report is yet to release after 6 years.
Iranian supreme leader, nevertheless, focused his message on solidarity among Muslim nations. Hajj, as a main pillar of Islam, has a significant role en route.
