1987 Mecca incident: Difference between revisions
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Hostility of Saudi Arabia toward Iranians has a long history. [[Khalid of Saudi Arabia|King Khalid of Saudi Arabia]] for example wrote to [[Saddam Hussein]] to "crush these stupid Iranians" as Saddam pushed on with the [[Iran–Iraq War|invasion of Iranian territory]].<ref>[http://www.azargoshnasp.net/recent_history/panarabism/miraspan-arabism.pdf]</ref> It has often been claimed that Iraq recruited non-Iraqi [[Arab people|Arabs]] during the war to balance the far superior number of Iranian forces on the ground.<ref>See the article میراث پان عربیسم in the journal مجله سیاسی-اقتصادی No. 209-210, p.12</ref> |
Hostility of Saudi Arabia toward Iranians has a long history. [[Khalid of Saudi Arabia|King Khalid of Saudi Arabia]] for example wrote to [[Saddam Hussein]] to "crush these stupid Iranians" as Saddam pushed on with the [[Iran–Iraq War|invasion of Iranian territory]].<ref>[http://www.azargoshnasp.net/recent_history/panarabism/miraspan-arabism.pdf]</ref> It has often been claimed that Iraq recruited non-Iraqi [[Arab people|Arabs]] during the war to balance the far superior number of Iranian forces on the ground.<ref>See the article میراث پان عربیسم in the journal مجله سیاسی-اقتصادی No. 209-210, p.12</ref> |
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The history of hostility between Wahhabis and Shiites dates several decades. There was also a clash in 1981 in Mecca and [[Medina]] between Iranian pilgrims and Saudi police. |
The history of hostility between Wahhabis and Shiites dates several decades. In 1943, an Iranian pilgrim was beheaded for allegedly defiling the [[Masjid al-Haram]] (Great Mosque).<ref name="Friedman">Religious radicalism and politics in the Middle East by Emmanuel Sivan, Menachem Friedman, p181</ref> There was also a clash in 1981 in Mecca and [[Medina]] between Iranian pilgrims and Saudi police. Saudi Wahabis believed that the Shiites would "pollute the Great Mosque".<ref name="Friedman"/> |
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In 1990s and 2000s Iranian pilgrims have continued their peaceful annual demonstration. They confined their rally to within the confines of their compound in Mecca. |
In 1990s and 2000s Iranian pilgrims have continued their peaceful annual demonstration. They confined their rally to within the confines of their compound in Mecca. |
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On Friday July 31, 1987, a demonstration by Iranian pilgrims against the "enemies of Islam" (including the [[United States|U.S.]] and [[Israel]]), escalated to fights between demonstrators and Saudi security forces. The police opened fire against the demonstrators and that led to a stampede of the pilgrims. Saudi authorities reported 402 dead (275 Iranians, 85 Saudis including policemen, and 42 pilgrims from other countries) and 649 wounded (303 Iranians, 145 Saudis and 201 other nationals).<ref>K. McLachlan, Iran and the Continuing Crisis in the Persian Gulf. ''[[GeoJournal]]'', Vol.28, Issue 3, Nov. 1992, p.359; also, "400 Die as Iranian Marchers Battle Saudi Police in Mecca; Embassies Smashed in Tehran," New York Times, 8/2/87</ref> |
On Friday July 31, 1987, a demonstration by Iranian pilgrims against the "enemies of Islam" (including the [[United States|U.S.]] and [[Israel]]), escalated to fights between demonstrators and Saudi security forces. The police opened fire against the demonstrators and that led to a stampede of the pilgrims. Saudi authorities reported 402 dead (275 Iranians, 85 Saudis including policemen, and 42 pilgrims from other countries) and 649 wounded (303 Iranians, 145 Saudis and 201 other nationals).<ref>K. McLachlan, Iran and the Continuing Crisis in the Persian Gulf. ''[[GeoJournal]]'', Vol.28, Issue 3, Nov. 1992, p.359; also, "400 Die as Iranian Marchers Battle Saudi Police in Mecca; Embassies Smashed in Tehran," New York Times, 8/2/87</ref> |
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Prior to the demonstration, Khomeini sent a message to the pilgrims.<ref name="Friedman"/> |
Prior to the demonstration, Khomeini sent a message to the pilgrims urging them to remain peaceful and avoid clashes.<ref name="Friedman"/> |
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Immediately following the demonstrations, Iranian leader [[Ayatollah]] Ruhollah Khomeini called for Muslims to avenge the pilgrims' deaths by overthrowing the [[House of Saud|Saudi royal family]]. The Saudi government blamed the [[riot]] on the Iranian pilgrims and claimed that the Iranian pilgrim riot had been part of a plot to destabilize their rule. |
Immediately following the demonstrations, Iranian leader [[Ayatollah]] Ruhollah Khomeini called for Muslims to avenge the pilgrims' deaths by overthrowing the [[House of Saud|Saudi royal family]]. The Saudi government blamed the [[riot]] on the Iranian pilgrims and claimed that the Iranian pilgrim riot had been part of a plot to destabilize their rule. |
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The 1987 Mecca massacre occurred on July 31, 1987. It arose from escalating tensions between Shia Iran on one hand and Wahabbi Saudi Arabia.
History
For years, Iranian pilgrims had tried to stage peaceful demonstrations so called "Distancing Ourselves from Mushrikīn" ( برائت از مشرکين) in the Muslim holy city of Mecca during the hajj.[1]
Hostility of Saudi Arabia toward Iranians has a long history. King Khalid of Saudi Arabia for example wrote to Saddam Hussein to "crush these stupid Iranians" as Saddam pushed on with the invasion of Iranian territory.[2] It has often been claimed that Iraq recruited non-Iraqi Arabs during the war to balance the far superior number of Iranian forces on the ground.[3]
The history of hostility between Wahhabis and Shiites dates several decades. In 1943, an Iranian pilgrim was beheaded for allegedly defiling the Masjid al-Haram (Great Mosque).[4] There was also a clash in 1981 in Mecca and Medina between Iranian pilgrims and Saudi police. Saudi Wahabis believed that the Shiites would "pollute the Great Mosque".[4]
In 1990s and 2000s Iranian pilgrims have continued their peaceful annual demonstration. They confined their rally to within the confines of their compound in Mecca.
Demonstrations
On Friday July 31, 1987, a demonstration by Iranian pilgrims against the "enemies of Islam" (including the U.S. and Israel), escalated to fights between demonstrators and Saudi security forces. The police opened fire against the demonstrators and that led to a stampede of the pilgrims. Saudi authorities reported 402 dead (275 Iranians, 85 Saudis including policemen, and 42 pilgrims from other countries) and 649 wounded (303 Iranians, 145 Saudis and 201 other nationals).[5]
Prior to the demonstration, Khomeini sent a message to the pilgrims urging them to remain peaceful and avoid clashes.[4]
Immediately following the demonstrations, Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini called for Muslims to avenge the pilgrims' deaths by overthrowing the Saudi royal family. The Saudi government blamed the riot on the Iranian pilgrims and claimed that the Iranian pilgrim riot had been part of a plot to destabilize their rule.
When news of the riot and the casualties reached Iran the following day, mobs attacked the Kuwaiti and Saudi embassies in Tehran, the two countries that were allied with Iraq in its war against Iran.[3] The following day, over a million Iranians gathered in Tehran calling for the overthrow of the regime in Saudi Arabia.
See also
References & notes
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ See the article میراث پان عربیسم in the journal مجله سیاسی-اقتصادی No. 209-210, p.12
- ^ a b c Religious radicalism and politics in the Middle East by Emmanuel Sivan, Menachem Friedman, p181
- ^ K. McLachlan, Iran and the Continuing Crisis in the Persian Gulf. GeoJournal, Vol.28, Issue 3, Nov. 1992, p.359; also, "400 Die as Iranian Marchers Battle Saudi Police in Mecca; Embassies Smashed in Tehran," New York Times, 8/2/87
- ^ "Iranian Official Urge 'Uprooting' of Saudi Royalty", The New York Times, August 3, 1987
- ^ "Gulf Tensions Rise", The New York Times, August 2, 1987