26 August 2015

Iran has occupied itself with criticism of Saudi Arabia as Pope Francis, speaking at New York's St Patrick's Cathedral, has joined the world leaders by expressing "closeness" with the world's Muslims after more than 700 pilgrims were killed in a stampede outside the Islamic holy city of Mecca.

Speaking during a packed evening prayer service on Thursday, the pope said he wanted to express "my sentiments of closeness in the face of the tragedy that their people suffered today in Mecca."

"In this moment of prayer, I unite myself with you all in prayer to God, our father, all powerful and merciful."

The Argentine pope had earlier arrived in the melting pot of New York after reminding the US of its immigrant origins in the first ever papal speech before Congress.

Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollat Ali Khamenei, who said on Thursday that Saudi "mismanagement and improper actions have caused this catastrophe".

Protesters marched in Tehran shouting slogans against Saudi Arabia's ruling al-Saud family.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of an Iranian parliamentary committee for national security, called on other Islamic countries to lodge protests with the Saudis.

The incident may worsen relations between the two countries, already strained by opposing stances on the conflicts in Syria and Yemen.

World leaders send messages of condolences

United States

The White House on Thursday offered condolences after a ''heartbreaking'' stampede in Saudi Arabia that left more than 700 Muslim pilgrims dead.  ''The United States expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the hundreds of Hajj pilgrims killed and hundreds more injured in the heartbreaking stampede in Mina, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,'' said National Security Council spokesman Ned Price.  ''As Muslims around the world continue to celebrate Eid al-Adha, we join you in mourning the tragic loss of these faithful pilgrims.''

United Kingdom

British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Philip Hammond expressed condolence for the victims of the stampede incident which occurred in Mina on Thursday. In his personal account on Twitter, he said ''A sad accident occurred in Makkah. I offer my condolence to all those affected of what has happened.'' Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition, wrote on his Facebook page hours after the stampede: "I am shocked and saddened to hear of today''s events in Saudi Arabia. My thoughts are with the friends and families of all those affected as well as Muslims in Britain and around the world.
Despite this tragic incident, on behalf of the Labour Party, I want to send my best wishes to all Muslims in the United Kingdom celebrating Eid al-Adha. Eid Mubarak."

Germany

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received a cable of condolence from German Chancellor Angela Merkel following the stampede in Mina. In her cable, Merkel also condoled with the families of the dead, wishing the injured quick recovery.

Qatar

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received a cable of condolence today from Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, premier and minister of interior of Qatar following the stampede in Mina.  The Qatari premier and minister of interior also prayed to Allah Almighty to bestow mercy on the dead and give quick recovery to the injured.

Morocco

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received a cable of condolence from King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco following the stampede incident which occurred in Mina.
The king of Morocco expressed his sorrow on the incident, warm condolence to the Saudi monarch and solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, praying to Allah Almighty to bestow mercy on the dead and quick recovery on the injured.

Kuwait

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received a cable of condolence from Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, during which he expressed profound sadness on the death of some pilgrims at a stampede in Mina.
The emir of Kuwait also prayed to Allah Almighty to bestow mercy on the dead and quick recovery for the injured.

Pakistan

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received a telephone call from Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussein who congratulated him on the blessed Eid Al-Adha and expressed condolence on the death of several pilgrims in Mina. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques thanked him for his noble feelings.

Tunisia

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received a cable of condolence from Tunisian President Al-Baji Gaed Al-Sibsi following the stampede incident which occurred in Mina. The Tunisian president expressed sincere condolence to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Saudi people and families of the deceased, vowing solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in this sad circumstances. He prayed to Allah Almighty to preserve the Kingdom's leadership and people from any harm and bestow mercy on the dead and quick recovery on the injured. 

South Africa

The office of South Africa's Acting President Cyril Ramaphosa released a statement, carried by Times Live: While the South African government awaits information about the status of South African pilgrims‚ acting president Ramaphosa has expressed South Africa's shared grief at this substantial loss of life.  ''He also wished injured survivors a speedy recovery‚'' a statement by the Department on International Relations and Cooperation said. ''Acting president Ramaphosa said that for South Africans‚ the stampede was particularly tragic given its coincidence with Heritage Day‚ an occasion dedicated to celebrating the diversity of the nation and humanity at large.''

United Nations' Ban Ki-Moon

The U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said in a statement that he ''was deeply saddened to learn of the death of more than 700 Hajj pilgrims and of injuries to many others as a result of a deadly incident in the Mina Valley in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This tragic incident is all the more distressing as it took place on the first day of the Holy Eid Al-Adha marking the end of the annual Hajj season.'' He extended his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and expresses his sympathies to all the Governments concerned.

©  EsinIslam.Com

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