Official Source at Hajj Ministry Speaks on Possibility of Cancellation of Umrah for Iranian Umrah Performers

Riyadh, February 03, 2010, SPA -- In response to a query from the Saudi Press
Agency (SPA) on the reports of the Iranian media, and the news at Iranian News
Agency on the possibility of cancellation of Umrah for Iranian Umrah performers
and on the saying of Representative of Wali Al-Faqih and Head of Iranian Hajj
Mission Mohammad Mohammadi Rey Shihri that in case of failure of the talks with
the Saudi authorities to reach a result, Umrah alone will be canceled and in
case of meeting their demands, Umrah will be performed as before, an Official
Source at the Ministry of Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in clarification
of the matter said,
" If Iran wants to disrupt one of the rituals of Islam for its citizens, this
is its own affairs and we do not interfere in the internal affairs of states.
For its part, the Kingdom is keen on mobilizing all its resources to provide
utmost security and care for pilgrims and Umrah performers from Islamic
countries without exception to enable them to perform this ritual easily and
comfortably. There are no special understandings with the Iranian side about
any preferential treatment, as preferential treatment has been available for
all Muslims from all over the world, including our brothers, the Iranians, as
they are the guests of Allah."
--SPA