In comments carried late Friday by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the chairman of the Shura Council, an appointed body that advises the Saudi government, called on citizens and Muslims to ignore “the biased campaigns carried out by the enemies of this pure country, to question the great efforts exerted by the Kingdom to serve the holy sites, their construction and expansion, and to serve the visitors and pilgrims.”
He was responding to fierce criticism of the Saudi authorities’ handling of safety, following the stampede that killed 717 pilgrims, the worst disaster in a quarter-century to strike the annual event.
Abdullah al Sheikh stressed that pilgrims must stick to “the rules and regulations taken by the security personnel… In doing so they protect their lives, their security and facilitate their performing of the rituals.”
Health Minister Khaled al Falih earlier made similar remarks that faulted the worshippers.
