Saudi King reaffirms commitment to Hajj after Iran criticism

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman says “irresponsible comments” and criticism from other countries against the kingdom’s handling of security during the hajj will not affect his country’s oversight of the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage was marred by a disaster on September 24 just outside Mecca that killed at least 1,480 pilgrims when two crowds converged on a narrow street, according to an Associated Press count based on official statements from nations whose citizens died.