Muslims should establish an impartial fact-finding committee on Hajj stampede - says Qom Friday prayer leader

Ahlul Bayt News Agency - "The Mina incident was a humanitarian tragedy and the government of Saudi Arabia bears the primary responsibility for the deaths and injuries of the pilgrims," Qom's Friday prayer leader said during his sermon to a large and fervent crowd of believers in Qom’s Holy Shrine of Lady Fatimah al-Ma’sumah.

He added that the House of Saud’s atrocities in Bahrain, Yemen and other parts of the world show that the they are on the side of injustice and prove the “clear failure” of this regime.  

Ayatollah Arafi stressed that anyone can easily realize that a loss of more than 4,000 people at a time when every tool of control, equipment and facilities exist is not acceptable.

“Worse, is that after the disaster, the Saudis blamed the stampede on African and Iranian pilgrims and delayed providing them with vital assistance. If relief was given immediately after the tragedy occurred, the casualty rate would have been reduced by half of its current level,” he said.

He added that the House of Saud did not even apologize and only after the Supreme Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, rebuked them, they were forced to admit their responsibility and apologize. They reluctantly stated that they take “full responsibility” and are “answerable for the welfare of the pilgrims.”

“It is necessary that all the countries affected by this tragedy establish an impartial fact-finding committee which can promote trust among the Muslim people,” Ayatollah Arafi said.

His Eminence stated that the House of Saud’s inexperience, internal conflicts and indifference to the lives of the “Guests of God” are the primary causes of this tragedy.

“The Saudi government is involved in atrocities which have taken its dignity away. By creating wars, the House of Saud has spilled Muslim blood in various countries. “That more than 7,000 have been martyred or wounded in Yemen is no joke,” he said.

Ayatollah Arafi praised Supreme Leader for his action saying: "his rebuking of the House of Saud’s handling of this incident forced them to react and to cooperate with Iran and allow the bodies of the Iranian victims to be returned home."

He stated that the world must know that the Iranian nation respects dialogue and humanitarian issues but will never remain calm in regard to the enemies and stressed that all officials must work hard to realize the ideals of the Islamic Revolution.




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