Latest news with #Ghasemian
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Saudi authorities release Iranian cleric arrested for bad mouthing Kingdom, Sunnah
Iranian cleric Ghasemian was arrested in Mecca for insulting Saudi Arabia but was quickly released and returned to Iran before completing Hajj. Both countries downplayed the incident. Hojjatoleslam Gholamreza Ghasemian, a cleric and TV presenter affiliated with the Iranian regime and close to Khamenei's household, was recently released after being arrested inMecca for filming a video that insulted the Saudi government and Sunni beliefs, while on Saudi soil. Ghasemian uploaded the video earlier this week, as he was on pilgrimage in Mecca. He addressed his viewers with a Quranic verse about divine punishment for wrongdoers before launching a sharp critique of conditions in Saudi Arabia's holy cities. He sarcastically suggested that viewers could "just travel to Makkah and Madinah" instead of going to Antalya, Turkey, claiming that the Saudis, whom he referred to as "merchants and usurpers' of Mecca, have established "gambling houses, prostitution centers, and raunchy concerts" in the holy cities. He then proceeded to compare these alleged conditions to "the Umayyad workhouses," a historical reference to the dynasty of rulers of the 7th-8th centuries Islamic empire, traditionally viewed in Islamic historiography as having strayed from Islam. The Iranian cleric emphasized in his video that "what is happening here… represents not just atheism, but the essence of atheism." Ghasemian urged his followers: 'Don't be fooled by diplomatic visits,' referring to Saudi-Iranian relations. He highlighted what he deemed were severe restrictions on pilgrims, suggesting that these conditions signal divine intervention is imminent. Finally, Ghssemian concluded with a prayer that the Shiite "Owners of the House (of Allah) would 'retake' Mecca out of the hands of the 'merchants and usurpers of the Qibla." Strikingly, Iranian state media reported the arrest as a result of 'comments Ghasemian made regarding the situation in Mecca and Madina', without disclosing any further information regarding the defamatory content of the cleric's address, and without posting the video he made. Despite Ghasemian's defamatory comments and the backlash they drew on social media, the countries decided to sustain a de-escalated diplomatic atmosphere. During Ghasemian's arrest, Alireza Enayati, the Islamic Republic's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, lauded Saudi Arabian authorities for 'making every effort to serve Iranian pilgrims.' He added, without referring directly to the arrest, that 'Iranian pilgrims respect the sanctity of these places and adhere to the prevailing laws, and no one accepts obscene and offensive words." From their part, Saudi state-controlled media outlets maintained a resounding silence, avoiding reports regarding the affair. Ghasemian's quick release may also signify a will to remain on good terms with Iran, despite the perceived grave offense of badmouthing the kingdom. Ghasemian returned to Iran on Thursday, and local social media accounts showed crowds celebrating his arrival at the airport. However, online users noted that his return from Saudi Arabia at this time means that he was prevented from completing the Hajj, as the rituals are still ongoing.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Saudi government frees Iranian cleric Gholamreza Ghasemian after being arrested for ‘obscene concerts' remarks
Iranian cleric Gholamreza Ghasemian (Image credit: X/InfoSudLiban) Iranian cleric Gholamreza Ghasemian, who was arrested for his controversial 'obscene concerts' remarks, was freed by the Saudi government on Thursday, ISNA reported. Saudi authorities arrested Ghasemian on Monday while he was performing rituals of the hajj in Mecca after a video went viral. In a veiled attack on the Saudi government, Ghasemian, dressed in a white pilgrimage robe, had accused them of turning the Qibla -– the direction Muslims face in prayer -– into "a place for gambling houses, centres of debauchery, and obscene concerts".His comments referred to the social changes made in recent years by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto leader. ISNA confirmed that Gholamreza Ghasemian is currently on his way back to Iran, following efforts by Iranian officials to secure his release. 'Obscene...': Iranian Cleric's Viral Video 'Insult' Rocks Saudi; Tehran Hajj Visas Halted I Details Earlier, reacting to the arrest, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, on Tuesday evening, said on X, "Iran in no uncertain terms condemns any attempt to harm Muslim unity, particularly in the spiritual atmosphere of the hajj." "We are determined to not allow anyone to sabotage relations with our brotherly neighbours, including the progressive path of Iran and Saudi Arabia", Araghchi added. Expressing his personal opinions, Iranian judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir described the cleric's arrest as "unjustified and unlawful". The controversy has strained ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. According to the Iran Wire, Riyadh has now suspended Hajj visas issuance for Iranians. Riyadh's move has affected Iranian pilgrims participating in this year's Hajj.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Iran confirms meetings with cleric held in KSA
Listen to article Iran said Wednesday it has held consular meetings with a cleric detained during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to local media. Gholamreza Ghasemian, a well-known cleric and religious figure in Iran, was arrested in the kingdom on Monday after a video circulated online showing him criticising the Saudi government, Iran's ISNA news agency reported. Saudi authorities have not confirmed the arrest. In the footage, Ghasemian, dressed in white pilgrimage robes, accused Saudi leaders of turning the Qibla into "a place for gambling houses, centres of debauchery, and obscene concerts". Alireza Bayat, head of Iran's Hajj organisation, said Iranian officials had held three consular meetings with Ghasemian in coordination with the embassy and consulate in Jeddah, ISNA reported.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Iran confirms consular meetings with cleric detained in Saudi Arabia
TEHRAN: Iran said Wednesday it has held consular meetings with a cleric detained during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to local media. Gholamreza Ghasemian, a well-known cleric and religious figure in Iran, was arrested in the kingdom on Monday after a video circulated online showing him criticising the Saudi government, Iran's ISNA news agency reported. Saudi authorities have not confirmed the arrest. In the footage, Ghasemian, dressed in white pilgrimage robes, accused Saudi leaders of turning the holy Qibla into 'a place for gambling houses, centres of debauchery, and obscene concerts'. Alireza Bayat, head of Iran's Hajj organisation, said Iranian officials had held three consular meetings with Ghasemian in coordination with the embassy and consulate in Jeddah, ISNA reported. Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir demanded his release on Tuesday, calling his arrest 'unjustified and unlawful' while adding that his remarks reflected his personal views. 'Nevertheless, we are obliged to defend the rights of our citizens.' Abdolfattah Navvab, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's representative for Hajj and pilgrimage affairs, also called the cleric's comments 'his personal opinion'. 'He is an active figure in holy Quranic circles, and expectations from him are naturally higher. That said, we expect the honourable authorities of the host country... to allow him to complete his pilgrimage and return home.' On Tuesday night, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that 'Iran in no uncertain terms condemns any attempt to harm Muslim unity, particularly in the spiritual atmosphere of the Hajj.' He did not mention the cleric's case. 'We are determined to not allow anyone to sabotage relations with our brotherly neighbours, including the progressive path of Iran and Saudi Arabia,' he said. Saudi Arabia's defence minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, met with Khamenei during a visit to Iran last month — the first high-level encounter of its kind since diplomatic ties were severed.
