Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a message said the hajj pilgrimage is an opportunity for forging Muslim unity and increasing vigilance against the United States’ “vicious attempts” at warmongering and support for oppressors.
In a message released Monday on the occasion of the annual hajj pilgrimage, the Leader pointed to US plots to create discord and provoke Muslims against each other.
“See the behavior of the arrogant and criminal US today. It’s fundamental policy against Islam and the Muslims is warmongering,” his official website reported.
“Its desire and vicious efforts are aimed at killing of Muslims by other Muslims, causing oppressive groups to attack the oppressed ones.”
“By supporting the oppressors, [the US] helps suppress the oppressed,” he said.
He called on Muslims to close ranks in the face hostile policies, saying, “Muslims should be aware and nullify this satanic policy. Hajj prepares the grounds for this awareness and manifests s the philosophy of repudiation of pagans and arrogant powers.”
The Leader called on the pilgrims to pray for the success of the Islamic Ummah, the oppressed people in Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Yemen, Bahrain, Libya, Pakistan, Kashmir and Myanmar and other parts of the world. “Ask Allah to cut the hands of the US and other arrogant powers and their supporters.”
More than two million Muslims are performing the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. On Sunday, pilgrims started converging on Mina valley, on the outskirts of Mecca, for the final rituals.
The five-day pilgrimage must be performed by all Muslims, who are financially and physically able, at least once in their lives.
According to Aljazeera, around 54 million pilgrims have attended the Hajj over the past 25 years. Around two million people from across the world, including 85,000 Iranians, are currently performing the ritual.
