Did Iranian pilgrims cause Hajj stampede?
Ahlul Bayt News Agency -ABNA- While all Muslims around the world are sorrowing over the death of more than 2000 pilgrims in the hajj of this year, Saudi authorities shamelessly are trying to blame others for this tragic event.
After blaming African pilgrims or calling this accident as a destiny from God, Saudi authorities now are pointing an accusing finger at Iran, where nearly the most of victims are from.
In this regard Saudis have lunched some campaigns against Iran under the name of ‘Iran kills Pilgrims’.
Asharq Al-Awsat daily which is related to Saudi royal family, today, in an illusory quotation from an unknown Iranian official in Hajj department claimed that Iranian pilgrims are in charge of Mina disaster!
“The Hajj tragedy that has left hundreds of people dead and injured was caused by a group of Iranian pilgrims who failed to follow instructions from Hajj authorities. The accident occurred after a group of around 300 Iranian pilgrims failed to follow orders and caused the accident,” Asharq Al-Awsat claimed.
For investigating the authenticity of the news, Ahlul Bayt News Agency -ABNA- has conducted an interview with one of Iranian Hajj officials in Mecca who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid any threat from Saudis.
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ABNA: Asharq Al-Awsat daily claimed that 300 Iranian pilgrims caused the Mina accident as they allegedly moved against the crowd, thus provoking pilgrims to panic. Since you were there, can you tell us if such claims are valid?
–Not true at all. Those who have attended Hajj in recent years know very well that it is impossible to walk against the crowd. Moreover, the incident occurred in the morning of Eid, long before pilgrims even attempted to perform Rami; and so why would anyone be walking back? It makes no sense whatsoever!
ABNA: In past years, pilgrims were able to move in all directions via corridors – was it the same this year?
–No actually it wasn’t! This year there was no alternative route made available to pilgrims. Everyone had to use the same corridor, at the same time without any alternative provision.
ABNA: Asharq Al-Awsat daily claimed that when the 300 Iranian pilgrims in question travelled from Mozdalafe to Mina they failed to go to their tents. Is that true?
–This is not true. After coming to Mina we went to our tents and ate breakfast; then we moved toward Jamarat. As I said before this event happened near Jamarat not at the entrance of Mozdalafe. There was a one-way road toward the Jamarat. Also, how is it possible for 300 people to move against thousands?!
ABNA: So what prompted this tragedy?
–Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia is responsible! The Saudi police blocked the road, forcing people to move in a very small and closed up road. They sent most of Hajj pilgrims on Street 204, but unfortunately that street was closed out! Police then called on those people in the front to sit adn wait. When they sat down those behind thought the way had been opened up and as a result moved forth. People began tripping over one another and mayhem ensued.
ABNA: Do you know why the authorities blocked the road?
–Maybe they did that to prevent people from being accumulated on the bridge of Jamarat, and prevent people from falling off the bridge. Either way the move was callous.
ABNA: How did the Saudi Police react to the accident?
–The Saudi security forces were terrible; they did nothing. They were just watching as people began dying. No efforts were made to help anyone.
ABNA: Asharq Al-Awsat also claimed that the Iranian pilgrims had a schedule and should have gone to Rami, arguing that the heads of the Iranian caravan ignored the schedule and as a result put people in harm’s way.
–Also this is not true; in fact there was no such schedule. This is pure fabrication.
ABNA: So why are the Saudi authorities putting those accusations forward?
–Clearly, they don’t want to accept any responsibility and so they are trying to deflect blame by finding a scapegoat.
ABNA: Asharq Al-Awsat claims it source is an unnamed Iranian hajj official!
–It mentioned no name because all of these claims are fabricated. Iranian hajj officials vehemently denied these claims.
ABNA: To introduce Iran as the main cause of the accident some Saudi sources have also claimed that Iranians were arrested, is it true?
–No, this report is also a baseless rumor.
ABNA: Why so many victims of the tragedy were from Iran and Africa?
–Actually, the tents of African and Iranian pilgrims were set up near where the accident happens which is why they suffered most.
ABNA: As you know Saudi rescue forces arrived 2 or 3 hours after the accident, how can such a thing be possible?
–Unfortunately, the Saudi government wasn’t prepared to manage such an event.
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