Also available in Persian — نسخه فارسی EN فا
❓ Unknown

Gathering of Over Two Million People for Hajj Ceremony in Saudi Arabia - February 18, 2002

Feb 13, 2026 February 13, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Around 2 million Muslims gathered in Mecca for the annual Hajj, with Saudi authorities warning against political activities. This is the first Hajj since the September 11 attacks, and security measures are heightened to prevent incidents.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The gathering of millions for Hajj amidst strict security reflects the complex interplay of faith, politics, and international relations in the region.

👥 Key Players

Saudi Government MENTIONED
Authority overseeing the Hajj
"The Saudi government controls the holy sites and manages the Hajj, making their policies significant for millions of Muslims, including Iranians."
Iranian Pilgrims MENTIONED
Participants in the Hajj
"Iranian Muslims participate in the Hajj, and their experiences can reflect broader political and religious sentiments in Iran."

📰 What Happened

On February 18, 2002, around 2 million Muslims gathered in Mecca for the Hajj, with Saudi authorities enforcing strict security measures to prevent political activities. This Hajj is notably the first since the September 11 attacks.

  • The Saudi government warned against political activities during the Hajj.
  • This Hajj is the first after the September 11 attacks and the subsequent war in Afghanistan.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: The strict measures against political activities could affect Iranian pilgrims' ability to express their views, reflecting the tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
🌍 Regional: The event highlights the ongoing sectarian tensions and the geopolitical rivalry between Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia and Shia-majority Iran.
🌐 International: The heightened security measures may influence perceptions of Saudi Arabia's role in managing religious gatherings and its relationship with the West post-9/11.

📚 Background

Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage that is obligatory for Muslims, and it often intersects with political issues, especially in the context of Iran and Saudi Arabia's rivalry.

Hajj and its significance in Islam Iran-Saudi relations
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
The article reflects the Saudi government's perspective, emphasizing security and order during a significant religious event.

On February 18, 2002, approximately 2 million Muslims have gathered in Mecca for the annual Hajj ceremony, and the Saudi government has warned that it will not tolerate any political activities during the Hajj period. The Saudi Interior Minister stated that the country's forces will resort to force to stop any events that are not part of the traditional Hajj rituals. This is the first Hajj ceremony held after the September 11 attacks on the United States and the war in Afghanistan. A large number of forces have been mobilized to prevent deadly fires that have occurred in recent years during the Hajj.

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

📰 Related Coverage

⚖️ Independent Platform — Artesh.com is not affiliated with any government, military, or political organization. Editorial Policy →