Iranian pilgrims back in Mecca

Almaty. August 31. Silkroadnews – Iranian Muslims are back to perform hajj, the Singapore newspaper Business Times reported.
“More than two million Muslims from around the world began the hajj pilgrimage at Islam's holiest sites Wednesday, a religious duty and a multi-stage spiritual journey. This year sees pilgrims from Shiite Iran return to Mecca in Saudi Arabia after a hiatus following a diplomatic spat between the regional rivals and a deadly stampede in 2015”, the report said.
The Saudi authorities have reportedly mobilized huge resources, including more than 100,000 security personnel, to avoid a repeat of the stampede in 2015, which killed almost 2,300 people. 464 deaths have been reported in Iran alone - the highest toll among foreigners.
According to publication, Iranian pilgrims did not take part in last year’s hajj for the first time in decades as Tehran and Saudi Arabia failed to agree on security and logistics.
This year the pilgrimage takes place amid a diplomatic crisis between the Saudi-led bloc of Arab countries and Qatar, accused of supporting extremist groups and being too close to Riyadh’s arch-rival Tehran, report says.
The blockade imposed on Qatar since June 5 closed the sea and air links, which prevents many Qatar people from performing the Hajj.