Saudi Arabia not representing Sunnis: Scholar

Press TV has conducted an interview with Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi, the director of the Islamic House of Wisdom, in Michigan, to ask for his insight on Saudi Arabia’ mismanagement of the Hajj pilgrimage.

The following is a rough transcription of the interview.

Press TV: I like to get your opinion as far as whether Saudi Arabia has done enough to compensate for what has happened in Mina and to give those answers to the grieving families.

Elahi: Yeah, answer is obviously no. And I have a very hard time to find a word strong enough to express the painful nature of this tragedy. Even the loss of one innocent life is too much, equals the death of humanity. And now we are talking about 5,000, almost, innocent people who had a dream to go to Hajj, saving money for many years, organizing their time, getting visa to participate in a pilgrimage of prayer and peace and piety to go there to demonstrate their dedication and devotion to divine Allah – Subhan Allah Ta’ala. And then they go through this tragedy, it is a really shocking situation. These people were there to say ‘Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk’ to God, ‘we are here to answer Your call, to serve You, to praise You, to testify to Your glory, Your unity, Your kingdom.’ And these excuses [are] not enough.

I’m glad that officials now are talking about an objective investigation with the Muslim countries and the international community. This is something that cannot be ignored. Unfortunately, some people are still confused about the situation.

Today, for example, we had a memorial service and prayer service for these casualties, for the victims of Mecca and Mina. And I received an email; somebody said, “Well, just pray for them, but don’t talk about Saudi Arabia or Iran and about politics.” And then he said that, “When you talk about Saudi Arabia, you are attacking the Sunnis.” And I was shocked that somebody thinks that the royal family of Saudi Arabia represents the Islamic world and speaks even for the Sunnis.

Press TV: Also the Iranian authorities have asked for guarantees that such incidents will not happen in the future. Do you think Saudi Arabia is in the position to give that guarantee?

Elahi: The only solution, the only way to make Mecca a city of safety and security for the future that does service to Hujjaj (Hajj pilgrims) and hospitality and helping them is to engage the other Muslim countries and nations and a collective management. Because the Saudis showed once again that they are not able and they are not responsible enough and accountable enough to run this Manasik (the rites of Hajj) situation and...

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