Moroccan Islamic jurist Ahmed Raissouni has criticized Saudi Arabia’s management of the pilgrimage. The man, who is close to Qatar, believes that Hajj must be arranged by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation instead of Riyadh.
While several Arab states have decided to stand with Saudi Arabia in ist recent crisis with Canada, Morocco has, so far, preferred to remain silent.
Unlike previous years, King Salman might not be holidaying in Morocco. The decision comes as the Moroccan Saudi diplomatic relations are deteriorating.
In 1979, Masjid al-Haram was seized by a group of 500 men under the leadership of Juhayman al-Otaybi, protesting against the Saudi monarchy. Islam’s holiest site was under siege for two weeks before Saudi Special Forces broke into the Mosque with the help of France and Pakistan.
Muslims from all over the world are impatiently waiting the first day of Ramadan. Muslims in France, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Jordan and Saudi Arabia to start fasting on Thursday.
According to an Iranian foreign ministry official, Morocco’s decision to severe diplomatic relations with his country came under the influence of Saudi Arabia. Morocco has announced earlier last week that the measure wasn’t made under pressure.
The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are the first countries to support Morocco after it decided to cut diplomatic ties with Iran. Meanwhile, neighboring country Kuwait has not reacted to the situation yet.
Morocco's relationship with Saudi Arabia has been strained since May, especially after the variation of the position over the blockade against Qatar and the "detention" of the Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Prince Al-Walid ben Talal. Yesterday in Paris, King Mohammed VI met the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman.