Iranian hajj pilgrims returning home

TEHRAN – The first group of Iranian hajj pilgrims flew home on Friday, departing from Medina in Saudi Arabia to Sari, the capital of Mazandaran province, Tasnim reported.

By Dr. Seyed Hossein Hosseiniseddiq

The pilgrimage experience

As the Hajj is approaching again, I would like to share my pilgrimage experiences with the readers of the Tehran Times.

Leader: Hajj is a great opportunity to combat the Deal of the Century

Message of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution to the great Hajj congregation:

First groups of Hajj pilgrims leave for Saudi Arabia

TEHRAN – On Monday, first batches of Iranian Hajj pilgrims departed from nine airports for Saudi Arabia.

86, 550 Iranians to start hajj pilgrimage

TEHRAN – This year, some 86,550 Iranians will travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for performing hajj pilgrimage, deputy director of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, has said.

Ayatollah Khamenei pushes for ‘brotherly coexistence of Islamic sects’

Leader highlights political aspects of Hajj

TEHRAN – The Leader of the Islamic revolution in a Monday meeting with Hajj officials highlighted the political aspects of the Muslim pilgrimage, stressing that “Islamic truths and objectives” should be emphasized during the annual ritual.

Riyadh investigating cases of Iranian hajj victims

TEHRAN – Saudi Arabia is taking legal action on the cases of Iranian pilgrims who were killed in Al-Haram Mosque as well as in a hajj stampede in September 2015 in the city of Mina, the Leader’s representative for hajj affairs has said.

Tehran hosts art exhibits on Hajj

TEHRAN – The Art Bureau, a Tehran-based center affiliated with the Islamic Ideology Dissemination Organization, is currently playing host to two art exhibitions on Hajj. 

By Yuram Abdullah Weiler

Hajj: Antidote for the malignancy of American materialism

“There is no crime America will not commit in order to maintain its political, cultural, and military domination of those parts of the world where it predominates.” —Imam Khomeini to Hajj pilgrims, September 12, 1980

Tehran, Saudis looking at better days

TEHRAN – It seems Tehran and Riyadh are expecting a resumption of relations in the near future, after a couple of years of particularly tense ties.

Hajj aimed at awakening Muslim world: cleric

TEHRAN – The interim leader of the Tehran Friday prayer has urged the Islamic ummah to stand up for their rights, saying the purpose of the Hajj ritual was to awaken the Muslim world.

Over 64,000 Iranian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

TEHRAN – Over 64,000 Iranian pilgrims have so far made it to Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia for Hajj ritual, according to the head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization.

Supreme Leader’s office in Saudi Arabia reopened

TEHRAN – Two weeks after Iranian pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia to attend the Hajj rituals, the Supreme Leader’s Hajj Office in the Kingdom was reopened with the participation of the head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Hamid Mohammadi, ISNA reported.

Iran may lease planes to take Hajj pilgrims home

TEHRAN – An Iranian lawmaker raised the possibility that the country might have to lease passenger planes from foreign airlines if Saudi Arabia would not cooperate in carrying the Iranian Hajj pilgrims back home.

Iranian court rejects appeal by attackers of Saudi missions

TEHRAN – Ten people sentenced to jail for attacking the Saudi embassy in Tehran in 2016 have had their appeals against their convictions rejected, Press TV reported on Monday.

Iran flies first group of pilgrims to Hajj 

TEHRAN – Iran on Sunday flew a first group of its pilgrims for Hajj in Saudi Arabia since a stampede in Mecca in September 2015 in which 464 Iranian pilgrims were crushed to death.

Leader: Riyadh responsible for Hajj security  

TEHRAN – In comments on Sunday, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution demanded Saudi Arabia provide a safe environment for Hajj pilgrims, particularly Iranians, reminding Riyadh of its “responsibility” for the annual ritual.   

Iran Air to operate 75% of Hajj flights to Saudi Arabia 

TEHRAN – Iran Air will operate three fourth of this year’s Hajj flights from and to Iran, the Leader’s representative in Hajj and pilgrimage affairs announced on Saturday.

Iran: We hope for Saudi cooperation on Hajj

TEHRAN – A Foreign Ministry official said on Saturday that Tehran hopes the Saudi Arabian government continues to cooperate on Hajj.

Issuing e-visa for Hajj pilgrims starts 

TEHRAN – The acting deputy chief of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization declared on Friday that the process of issuing electronic visa for Hajj pilgrims has begun.

Iranian official to visit Saudi Arabia for Hajj preparation

TEHRAN – The head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization is going to visit Saudi Arabia for talks on preparations for this year’s Hajj ritual.

Majlis to address Hajj case

TEHRAN – The Iranian parliament (Majlis) will address the issue of Hajj pilgrimage during the coming days, Fars reported on Friday.

Iran may boycott Hajj

TEHRAN – The Iranian Parliament’s Article 90 Committee is mulling changes to the functioning of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, the outcome of which may verge on boycotting the hajj pilgrimage.

By Ali Kushki

Iran to resume Hajj pilgrimage late July after 2016 boycott 

TEHRAN – Iran has announced it will resume sending hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in July after boycotting the 2016 ritual in objection to Riyadh failing to soothe safety concerns. 

S. Arabia accepts Iran’s conditions for Hajj pilgrimage: MP

TEHRAN – A member of the parliament presiding board said on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia has accepted Iran’s conditions for sending pilgrims to Hajj.

Iran says its pilgrims attend Hajj this year, Riyadh confirms

TEHRAN – Iranian pilgrims will participate in this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia after a one-year absence, what seen as a rare promising spot in stalled relations between the two regional rivals.

Tehran-Riyadh close to Hajj consensus   

TEHRAN – Tehran and Riyadh will be finalizing a framework by the summer which ends a two-year hiatus in performing Hajj rituals by Iranian pilgrims, according to a senior Iranian official. 

By Hossein Askari, Contributor Professor of Business and International Affairs at George Washington University

King Salman: Relinquish Guardianship of Islam’s Holy Sites!

Mecca and Medina, situated in Western Saudi Arabia, are Islam’s two holiest sites. The region is the birthplace of Islam and of the Prophet Mohammad. Every Muslim is required to make a pilgrimage (during Hajj) to Mecca at least once in a lifetime, if he or she is physically and financially able to do so. During Hajj, all Muslims, be they kings or paupers, are equal, each person wearing two simple white sheets with nothing to distinguish between ruler and subject and rich and poor.