THERE was nothing unusual in the statement of Iranian officials following the stampede in Mina. According to “Russia Today” news network, the Iranians have called for participation in the investigation into the incident. As a result we cannot rule out Iran's clandestine role in the tragedy. In a previous article, I have stressed the need to find out the reason for the stampede that occurred on Street No. 204 in Mina and punish those who have caused it. We have seen the role of Iran in a number of previous tragedies that occurred during Haj. In the notorious 1987 massacre, 85 Saudi security officers and citizens perished following a violent demonstration staged by Iranian pilgrims in Makkah. The fierce Iranian official reaction to the latest Mina stampede does not need any deep analysis, especially after Tehran's direct and indirect interference in the affairs of neighboring Arab countries. The losses suffered by Iran and its supporters in Yemen were painful to that country. Pilgrims of different countries have died in the stampede. As of Tuesday, they include 40 Pakistanis and 74 Egyptians. The high death toll of Iranians, which is 239, raises a question mark and indicates that a large number of Iranians caused the tragedy by moving in the opposite direction. An official from the Iranian Haj mission has admitted this fact when he said 300 Iranian pilgrims caused the stampede as upon entering Mina from Muzdalifah they marched straight to the Jamarat. They entered Street No. 204 to collide with pilgrims who were going to Jamarat Bridge as per the set schedule. Unfortunately, Iran and its supporters like former Iraqi prime minister Nouri Al-Malki wanted to politicize the incident and called for the involvement of other OIC countries in Haj management. While leveling false accusations against other Muslims, the Iranians have failed to pay condolences to the stampede victims. Pope Francis expressed his solidarity with Muslims after the incident while UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon conveyed his condolences to the victims' families because they consider Haj as a religious event while the Iranians have been using it for political purpose since the time of Khomeini revolution.
