In a message on Friday, Larijani offered his deep condolences to the families of the victims and the Islamic Ummah (community), and called on Muslims to follow up on the main reasons behind the tragic event in order to prevent its repetition in the future.
He also called on Muslim countries and relevant Islamic organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) to carefully look into the reasons behind the failure and negligence of the Saudi government in managing the annual event and take necessary measures to organize the divine festival in a proper way.
Muslim nations expect the Saudi government to fulfil its obligations and “act upon its commitment” regarding the disastrous event and prosecute the perpetrators.
“The Saudi government should provide the Islamic Ummah and the world with convincing explanations (about the deaths of thousands of people),” Larijani stressed.
According to media reports, at least 1300 pilgrims were killed Thursday in the stampede outside the Muslim holy city of Mecca, the worst disaster to strike the annual Hajj pilgrimage in 25 years.
Photographs published on the Twitter feed of the Saudi civil defense Thursday showed pilgrims lying on stretchers while emergency workers in high-visibility jackets lifted them into an ambulance.
The Hajj, the world’s largest annual gathering of people, has been the scene of numerous deadly stampedes, fires and riots in the past.
Safety during Hajj is a politically sensitive issue for the kingdom’s ruling Al Saud dynasty, which presents itself internationally as the custodian of its holiest places in Mecca and Medina.