In a meeting chaired by the Leader’s representative for Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs, Seyed Ali Ghazi Askar, and attended by Head of the Hajj Organization, Hamid Mohammadi, on Monday, the Iranian Hajj officials discussed preparations for taking part in talks with the Saudi side over the participation of Iranian pilgrims in this year’s Hajj rituals.
Ghazi Askar confirmed that Iran has received Saudi Arabai’s official invitation for bilateral Hajj talks, adding “the text of this invitation is not that much different from the previous invitations, and Iran will respond to it in coming days.”
He called for expediting the activities of expert committees on specifying the topics for talks and issues related to the participation of Iranian pilgrims in Hajj rituals, including accommodation, food, medical issues, transport, pilgrims' safety, banking and consular affairs.
Hamid Mohammadi, for his part, stressed that necessary conditions must be provided both in Iran and Saudi Arabia for sending Iranian pilgrims to this year’s Hajj, adding “given the severed ties between the two countries and the remaining time, Saudi Arabia needs to have the utmost cooperation on issues related to its own country.”
Ghazi Askar then maintained that an Iranian delegation will be sent to Saudi Arabia for Hajj talks, adding “during the talks with the Saudi side, Iran will also raise issues on martyrs of Great Mosque of Mecca and Mina in 2015.”
“We hope that conditions will be provided for organizing a magnificent and dignified Hajj, with guaranteed peace and safety for the pilgrims,” he said.
MS/3873343