Iran's Interests Section in Egypt responds to Saudi claims over Karbala

'Hajj is among the Islamic Vajebat (religious duties),' Al-Youm Al-Sabee has quoted Mohammad Mahmoudian, head of Iran's Interests Section in Egypt, as saying. 

The claims made and spread out by certain media that the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution has issued a Fatwa which lets Muslims make a pilgrimage to Karbala instead of doing Hajj rituals are 'complete fabrication' Iran's Interests Section in Egypt has stressed in a statement, reports IRNA.

'Such a Fatwa has never been issued, neither this year nor previous years,' the statement announced. 

In related news, Iran's Embassy in Kuwait has also refused such unfounded reports made by certain Arab media. 

According to Islamic teachings, making a pilgrimage to Imam Hussein (AS) shrine in the Day of Arafah is considered as a good deed.

Day of Arafah is the second day after Eid-al-Adha, Muslims' feast of sacrifice and worshipping.

Over 5,000 pilgrims, including 461 Iranians, were killed in a deadly stampede occurred in Mina on September 24, last year, due to the mismanagement of the Saudi rulers to handle the Hajj rituals. After the tragic incident, Iran said Saudi Arabia must provide due security for all pilgrims, including the Iranians, while they are in that country in Hajj season, but the Saudi rulers refused to guarantee the pilgrims safety and consequently, deprived Iranians of performing their annual Hajj rituals this year which is a right for any Muslim.