Islam's holy sites belong to Muslims

For Muslims all over the world, Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia are the most sacred places on earth. But the Saudi dynasty, which subscribes to the hard-line Wahhabi Islam, decides who can visit these holy places and who cannot. Those who are allowed to visit have to abide by the rules enforced by the Saudi authorities regarding Islam's sacred rituals.

For example, a Muslim woman is not allowed to perform the hajj in Mecca if she is not accompanied by a mahram - her husband, brother or father. These regulations are not only against the spirit of Islam but also against fundamental human rights.

The recent conflict between Riyadh and Tehran over Saudi Arabia's decision to exclude the Shiite pilgrims from Iran to perform this year's hajj is the latest example of the high-handedness of the custodians of Islam's holy cities. But more than faith, the issue is about political and geostrategic differences.

The Sunnis and Shiites share the fundamental beliefs and have co-existed since the early days of Islam. The Saudis had no problems with the Shiite Muslims when Tehran was ruled by the pro-America Shah of Iran. The ties deteriorated after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which posed a challenge not only to the idea of a dynastic ruler but also to pro-US governments in the Middle East.

The Islamic revolution in Iran, led by the late Ayatollah Khomeini, was also not without flaws. Khomeini consolidated the rule of radical clerics and violated human rights of the Iranian people. In terms of democracy and freedom, Iran still has a long way to go.

Exploiting religion for politics

Both Saudi Arabia and Iran are thus using religion for their political interests. The Yemen and Syria conflicts are the latest examples of the Saudi-Iranian bitter rivalry and a geostrategic tug-of-war.

The recent war of words between Saudi and Iranian authorities regarding who is a true Muslim and who isn't reminds us that things can go out of control if not dealt with properly. In 1987, scores of Shiite protesters during the hajj in Mecca were killed by the Saudi security forces. This led to the suspension of diplomatic relations between the two countries for three years.

Riyadh and Tehran should abstain from using harsh words against each other and use diplomatic means to resolve their issues. Also, the hajj management needs to be improved. As Mecca and Medina are the sacred sites for all Muslim sects, they should be managed by a council represented by all Islamic sects. All Muslim men and women, rich or poor, young or old should be given a chance to perform the hajj. The Saudis should be more flexible.

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