DUBAI (Reuters) – The first Iranian pilgrim group in 9 years headed to Saudi Arabia for umrah (mini-pilgrimage) on Monday, Iran’s state information company reported, on account of improved relations between the 2 Middle East powers.
Iranian media reported in December that Saudi Arabia had lifted restrictions on Iranians wishing to carry out Umrah, however flights have been delayed till now on account of what the Iranian authorities referred to as “technical issues.”
In March 2023, China brokered an settlement between Iran and Saudi Arabia to revive full diplomatic relations, severed since 2016 over Riyadh’s execution of a Shiite Muslim cleric and subsequent assault on the Saudi embassy in Tehran. did.
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Before the restoration of diplomatic relations, Iranians might solely carry out the Hajj pilgrimage, a non secular obligation for Muslims enterprise the once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage. Hajj should be carried out at a particular time of the 12 months, and strict annual quotas are imposed.
Umrah could be carried out at any time and isn’t compulsory for Muslims.
Saudi Ambassador to Iran Abdullah bin Saud al-Anji attended a farewell ceremony for 85 pilgrims at Tehran’s principal airport.
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(This article has been reedited so as to add 2023 in third paragraph)
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