Cleric proposes fact finding mission probe into Mina incident

Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi, head of the Assembly of Experts in Iran’s Parliament, called the stampede incident in Mina as an unforgettable mishap demanding a fact finding mission from the world of Islam probe into the incident besides the independent investigation of the governments, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).

Iranian scholar, in his weekly teaching sessions, highlighted the necessity of security as a principle which has to be maintained during Hajj and said,” In a land where even the blood of an animal should not be shed, the blood of more than 2’000 pilgrims is shed and many more are injured and now passing the incident aside with a simple remark of sympathy with the families of the victims or a justification of the event as mismanagement or incapability is not enough.”

Cleric demanded for a serious reaction by all Islamic countries in a bid to take measures for security of Hajj pilgrims.

Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi noted that the incident might have other reasons than mismanagement or incompetency of KSA Hajj authorities rather some intrigues could be behind that.

He demanded the judiciary system of the country to investigate into the event through international courts.

Senior cleric referred to the mission of seminaries and authorities saying,” Here I demand Iranian authorities, religious leaders, seminaries and jurisprudents to show proper reaction over Mina incident and sending serious letters to international organizations will certainly be influential either.”

The death toll from a deadly crush during Hajj pilgrimage rituals in Mina, outside the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, has soared to about 2,000, says the head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, citing Saudi sources.

The incident occurred on Thursday, after huge pilgrim processions were joined in their course, leading to the catastrophic entanglement.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Thursday called on Saudi Arabia to shoulder the responsibility over the deadly incident in Mina, declaring three days of national mourning. At least 228 Iranian nationals are among those killed in the deadly stampede with 246 still missing and 27 injured.