The Ministry of Haj and Umrah announced today that the Iranian Hajj delegation refused to sign an agreement signed by over 75 countries and has instead decided not participate in this year’s Hajj.

The decision not to participate in this year’s Hajj is a decision made solely by the Iranian government in an attempt to force the Kingdom to accept Iran’s demands, including where and how Hajj visas are issued to Iranian pilgrims and how Iranian pilgrims arrive in the Kingdom.

The ministry reaffirmed the Kingdom’s acceptance of all pilgrims regardless of their nationality and said that any government that hinders or prevents its citizens from exercising their right to perform the pilgrimage, shall be held accountable before Allah and the entire world.