The Hajj: The Politicization of Religion Reaches the Heart of Islam

LONDON -- In the run-up to the world's largest annual gathering of people, Saudi Arabia and Iran have stepped up their verbal attacks, highlighting the increased resentment between the two countries. While Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, implied the Saudi government was not competent in administering the Hajj, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel AlJubeir called on Iran to choose between whether it is "exporting the revolution" or a state that respects international law.

The exchange of salvos came this week in advance of the Hajj, which begins on Friday and runs to Sept. 14. More than 1.5 million Muslims will participate in the annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia -- while 1.6 billion Muslims globally mark the holy days of the month of Dhu Hijjah. The fifth pillar of Islam, the Hajj is obligatory for all able-bodied and financially capable Muslims once in their lifetime. For those not participating in the Hajj, the time is meant to be time of peace and reflection, culminating in Eid Al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice.

The Hajj is observed annually in Mecca, the city seen as the heart of Islam. However, this year the Hajj has become highly politicized, as Iranian officials have engaged in a war of words with their Saudi counterparts. While relations between the two countries officially broke down at the start of the year, and tensions have been escalating for longer, Tehran's direct challenging Riyadh's administration of the Hajj is unprecedented.

[READ: Saudi Arabia's top cleric says Iran's leaders 'not Muslims']

On Monday, Khamenei gave his "Hajj Sermon," saying that Saudi rule is "dependent on defending the arrogant powers of the world, on alliances with Zionism and the U.S." Khameni blamed Riyadh for the lack of Iranian pilgrims this year, even though it was the Iranian government that took the decision in last year to boycott the Hajj.

Iranian officials' criticisms center on a deadly stampede at last year's Hajj; official figures placed the death toll at 769, however some estimates say more than 2,400 died, including at least 400 Iranians. Saudi Arabia has been accused of not being forthcoming in the details of how the stampede happened, while Saudi officials denounce criticism of their handling of the incident as politicizing a tragedy.

This week marked a significant escalation from Iran of the heated exchanges and political accusations. The suggestion by Khamenei that "The world of Islam must fundamentally reconsider the management of the two holy places and Hajj" directly threatens the Saudi leadership. The Saudi king holds the title of the "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques" and Khamenei is intentionally seeking to undermine that role.

Saudi Arabia has both the privilege and burden of organizing the Hajj; by hosting millions of pilgrims each year, the country gains political status in the Muslim world. However, hosting the event is accompanied by security threats and the organizational burden of annually staging the largest human gathering under strict rules.

Following Khamenei's statements, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani asked countries to "punish Saudi Arabia" for last year's Hajj stampede. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif questioned the "Islam of Saudi Arabia," as a rebuke to Saudi Grand Mufti Abdulaziz AlSheikh, who was quoted by a Saudi newspaper as saying Iranian leaders are not real Muslims since they are descendants of 'AlMajuws,' in reference to Zoroastrians.

On Wednesday, AlJubeir, the Saudi foreign minister, spoke about an "Iranian rampage" in the region. Speaking at Chatham House in London, he insisted that Saudi Arabia offered to work with the Iranian government to ensure their eligible citizens can participate, including allowing for consular assistance despite the lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries. AlJubeir said Tehran refused the Saudi offer and they are "responsible in the eyes of God and the eyes of their people."

Saudi Arabia is concerned about the possibility of any terrorist threat. The Islamic State has repeatedly threatened the country and has claimed responsibility for several attacks. Last July, there were four attacks within the space of a few hours. One of them shook Muslims around the world, since it was at AlMasjid Alnabawi, the burial site of the Prophet Mohammad in Medina and the second-most holy site in Islam. While the bombing of a nearby parking lot led to four fatalities, it marked the first such targeting of a holy Muslim site in Saudi Arabia. However, attacks on holy sites in Iraq and Syria have been more frequent in the last few years. The last day of Hajj this year falls on the 15 ^th anniversary of the September 11 ^th attacks on the United States and at a time that ISIS is facing increasing pressures in Iraq and Syria, which could incentivise potential attackers.

[MORE: Iran: Punish Saudi Arabia for 2015 Hajj Disaster]

Taking into account these risks, Saudi authorities have issued electronic bracelets to all pilgrims, in addition to dispersing 17,000 security personnel in Mecca, according to the Ministry of Hajj. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Nayef, who is the country's interior minister, warned this week that Iran seeks to "politicize Hajj and convert it into an occasion to violate the teachings of Islam, through shouting slogans and disturbing the security of pilgrims." Saudi officials have expressed concern that pro-Iranian pilgrims could use the Hajj to stage a protest against Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials have been adamant that any political action will not be tolerated at the holy sites.

At a time of discord and wars in several Muslim countries, of humanitarian crises and mass migration, the Hajj is intended to remind people that they are created equal. Class and ethnic divisions are meant to be overcome as all male pilgrims must wear only two unstitched pieces of white cloth. Muslims around the world marking the journey of Prophet Mohammad in his farewell pilgrimage and honoring the legacy of the Prophet Abraham, is meant to bring communities together. And while for the vast majority of Muslims it will, the politicization of the Hajj will cast its shadow on this sacred week as no resolution is in sight.

The discord between Iran and Saudi Arabia is a far cry from Mohammad's final sermon, where he preached "Every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves."