Iran's Zarif accuses Saudi authorities of 'bigoted extremism'
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 7 September 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iran's Zarif accuses Saudi authorities of 'bigoted extremism', 7 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58189d3ba.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 07, 2016
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has accused Saudi authorities of "bigoted extremism" in a war of words over Iran's exclusion from this year's hajj pilgrimage.
"Indeed, no resemblance between Islam of Iranians and most Muslims, and bigoted extremism that Wahhabi top cleric and Saudi terror masters preach," Zarif tweeted late on September 6.
The comments came after Saudi Arabia's top cleric, Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh, said Iranians – who are predominantly Shi'a – were "not Muslims."
The Saudi cleric was himself responding to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's criticism of the Sunni-ruled kingdom's management of the Islamic holy sites of Mecca and Medina.
Iran says it is not sending any pilgrims on this year's hajj beginning September 10 after talks with Saudi officials about security failed.
At least 2,297 pilgrims were killed in a stampede at the pilgrimage in 2015, with Iranians making up the bulk of the victims.
With reporting by AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
