TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian called on Muslim nations to boost unity and cooperate to hold a secure Hajj pilgrimage.


Speaking in a meeting with Niger�s Minister of State for Mines and Industrial Development Omar Hamidou Tchiana in Tehran on Sunday, Amir Abdollahian expressed deep condolences to the Nigerien nation over the deaths of a number of the people of the Western African country in a recent crush of people in Mina, Saudi Arabia, which led to the deaths of thousands of Hajj pilgrims.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister further stressed the need for Muslim countries to boost their unity and cooperation to prevent a recurrence of the Mina tragedy and guarantee the security of Hajj pilgrims in years to come.

The Nigerien minister, for his part, offered condolences over the deaths of Iranian nationals in the deadly crush in Mina.

During the meeting, the two sides also exchanged views about ways to deepen bilateral relations between Tehran and Niamey.

At least 7,500 pilgrims were killed in the crush in Mina on September 24 when performing religious rites.

Iranian Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization has put the final number of Iranian pilgrims killed in the disaster at 465.

The incident came nearly two weeks after tens of Hajj pilgrims were killed in another tragic incident in Mecca.

On September 11, a massive construction crane crashed into Mecca�s Grand Mosque in stormy weather, killing at least 107 people, including 11 Iranians, and injuring 201 others.

Saudi authorities have come under fire for their inability to ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who converge on Mecca every year.

By Tasnim News Agency