JEDDAH — Members of the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars have denounced Tehran for adopting hypocrisy and lies and distorting facts to mislead the public. "Iran is spreading falsehood to create sedition and influence pilgrims," said Dr. Sheikh Saleh Bin Humaid, a member of CSIS, imam and khateeb of the Grand Mosque and former chairman of the Shoura (Consultative) Council. "The Iranian regime has been trying to create confusion among Hajis since the mullahs have come to power in Tehran," Bin Humaid told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. "Our country is keeping vigil against these Iranian machinations. The whole world knows the Iranian excesses and the Kingdom's remarkable efforts to ensure security and comfort of the guests of Allah," he added. Bin Humaid rejected Tehran's move to politicize Haj, the largest annual gathering of Muslims. "We have seen Iran's criminal motives through its interference in the affairs of Arab countries bringing untold miseries to their people. But the Kingdom is cautious of Tehran's conspiracy," he said while praising the efforts of intellectuals, media persons and writers in confronting the Iranian challenge. Dr. Abdullah Abdulmohsin Al-Turki, a council member and a Royal Court adviser, said he was not surprised by the antagonistic and provocative statements of Iranian clerics. "Saudi Arabia, which follows the Shariah, is the qibla of the Muslim world. It has been working to strengthen Islamic unity and solidarity. As a result enemies target the Kingdom," he said. Al-Turki said Iranian crimes have been exposed through its operations in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and other flashpoints where it tries to create division and confusion. He said it was the duty of all Muslims to follow Saudi government's instructions on the smooth operation of Haj pilgrimage. "Many Iranians have expressed their opposition to the provocative statements made by their leaders. We have seen Iranian authorities making statements to arouse sectarian differences among pilgrims and create chaos and confusion during Haj," he said. Dr. Ali Bin Abbas Al-Hekami, another member of CSIS, condemned Iranian clerics and officials for spreading lies about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his wife Ayesha and the first Caliph Abu Bakr. "The Iranians have tried to cause explosions during Haj by bringing explosives and concocted lies that even children would not believe," he pointed out. Al-Hekami highlighted Saudi Arabia's efforts in the services of the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah and for the welfare of pilgrims. "The whole world has acknowledged the Kingdom's services for the guests of Allah and only the spiteful and ungrateful would deny it. When Khamenei and his followers attack Saudi Arabia they show their vengeance toward all Muslims who love the Prophet (pbuh), his companions and mothers of the believers," he said. He said Iranians were threatening peace and security of Hajis by carrying out their subversive activities. "Muslims all over the world would oppose the Iranian conspiracy against Saudi Arabia and stand united against Tehran," he added.
