Special to WorldTribune.com

Saudi Arabia’s “mismanagement and inappropriate conducts” caused the stampede that killed over 700 hajj pilgrims near Mecca, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sept. 24.

The Saudis came back with a quick response on social media, calling Khamenei’s comments an “Iranian conspiracy” that was intended to “light the fuse of sectarianism.”

At least 130 Iranians were believed killed in the stampede at Mina when two large groups of pilgrims converged at a crossroad leading to where pilgrims take part in the “stoning the devil” ritual at Jamarat.

“Tens of families eagerly waiting to welcome pilgrims back from hajj are now mourning,” said Khamenei. “The Saudi government should accept its responsibility in this bitter incident. We should not overlook that mismanagement and inappropriate conducts caused this disaster.”

Several other Iranian officials blamed Saudi Arabia for the tragedy and, on Sept. 24, Iran’s foreign ministry summoned the Saudi ambassador to Teheran. Iran has complained in the past that its nationals are often mistreated by Saudi border guards or holy site officials and discriminated against during hajj because they are Shias.

Two weeks prior to the stampede, 110 people died in Mecca’s Grand Mosque when a construction crane collapsed during a storm and fell into the main courtyard.

“It’s not the first time that the Saudi government has shown its incompetence during the hajj,” said Alaeddin Boroujerdi of Iran’s parliamentary committee on national security. “Two tragic incidents have taken place in a short time, the Saudi government is not capable of managing hajj pilgrimage.”

“This incident is unprecedented in the history of hajj,” said Seyed-Ali Ghaziaskar, Khamenei’s representative on hajj affairs. “Saudi officials do not let our medical team and doctors to reach the affected areas and hospitals to help.”

  Ali Khamenei, Khamenei blames Saudi ‘mismanagement’ for deadly hajj stampede, Mecca pilgrimage, WorldTribune.com