Saudi warns against Haj unrest

Saudi Arabia has warned Muslim pilgrims attending next week’s Haj in Makkah to avoid exploiting Islam’s annual gathering for political reasons, reflecting its worry that turmoil in the region may prompt attacks or damaging displays of discord.
Wearing the clothes and speaking the languages of dozens of nations, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims flocked to Makkah’s Grand Mosque for Friday prayers in a show of religious harmony in a year when the region’s Muslim states are riven by conflict.
“The security forces are ready to confront any irresponsible behaviour that might pollute the purity of Haj or endanger the lives of the guests of Allah,” Interior Minister Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Nayef was quoted as saying by state media.
In Saudi Arabia, three suicide bombings of mosques by sympathisers of Daesh (the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) this year have proved that even Muslim places of worship are at risk of attack by militants.
In the Grand Mosque, worshippers of different nationalities said they hoped the Haj would provide a chance for Muslims to set strife aside. About 1.2 million pilgrims have arrived so far this year for Haj, according to Arab News.

--Samir--