Iran intellectuals and media industry petition the UN over Mina tragedy – Call for fact-finding mission

SHAFAQNA – In the Name of Allah

Excellency,

We trust you have learned that during annual Hajj rituals this year in Saudi Arabia, a number of fatal incidents claimed the lives of hundreds of Muslim pilgrims and inflicted thousands of them with serious physical and mental damages.

There is abundant evidence suggesting that mismanagement of the host country’s officials has been responsible for such incidents which have been unfortunately occurring frequently.

We, university instructors as well as journalists in Iran who had the opportunity to perform Hajj and be eye-witness to the lack of proper management, believe that a fact-finding committee should be formed with members from world bodies to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the tragic incidents that have killed Hajj pilgrims including our Iranian compatriots.

It is hoped that upon completion of the committee’s mission, similar incidents will not be repeated and that the Riyadh government, based on the principle of responsibility in the international law, will be obliged to render its duties and also compensate in a fair manner the material and spiritual damages of those inflicted in these incidents.

We also urge the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to bring under serious consideration the subject of management of the holy shrines of Mecca and Medina and the affairs of the Hajj pilgrims and to respect the public opinion in the Islamic World.

In anticipation of your due action, we remain.

To:

H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General

H.E. Mr. Iyad Ameen Madani, OIC Secretary General

H.E. Ms. Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General