Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization (Iran)

Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization
سازمان حج و زیارت
Agency overview
Formed1979
HeadquartersTehran, Iran
Agency executive
  • Alireza Bayat, Head of organization
Websitewww.haj.ir

Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization (Persian: سازمان حج و زیارت) of Iran was founded in 1979 and before that Hajj was managed by Ministry of Interior. In Iran, this organization is subset of Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. The Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization is government organization and goals determine with Iran's policies, thoughts of Ruhollah Khomeini, guidelines of the Supreme Leader, and president.[1][2]

Saeed Owhadi was head of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization and before that worked in another part of this organization. He is a graduate of Sharif University of Technology and California State University, Long Beach.[3] Previous head of the organization was Seyyed Ahmad Mousavi.[4] Ali Reza Rashidian is the current head of the organization who was appointed on 5 December 2018.[5]

In January 2016, after executions of Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, leader Shia in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, Iranian protesters stormed Saudi Arabia embassy in Tehran. After this event, Saudi Arabia cut off relations with Iran. Saeed Owhadi said: "the decision to continue or suspend hajj travel to Mecca and Medina would ultimately be up to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei."[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, transfer policy, management, and tasks". Miqate Hajj. 20. 1997.
  2. ^ "Introduction to the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization". Hamshahri Online. 20 August 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Saeed Owhadi was appointed as the head of Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization and his biography". Hajj News Agency. 26 August 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  4. ^ "The new head of the organization of the pilgrimage to the major challenges old boss". ISNA News Agency. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  5. ^ "Who is AliReza Rashidian? -- Biography". yjc.ir. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  6. ^ Karimi, Arash. "Will Iran suspend hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia?". AL-MONITOR. Retrieved 19 January 2016.


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