WANA (May 27) – For millions of Muslims around the world, the Hajj pilgrimage is far more than a religious ritual—it’s a journey into the heart of spirituality, unity, and purification in Islam’s holiest lands. But for some pilgrims, this path has been marred by experiences that starkly contrast with the concept of “spiritual safety.”

 

In recent years, Iranian pilgrims have faced arrests, interrogations, and even unexpected treatment during their Hajj journey in Saudi Arabia. These incidents have raised serious questions about the intersection of spirituality, security, and politics in one of the world’s most sacred religious gatherings.

 

From Airport Harassment to Arrests Over Photography

One of the most widely publicized cases occurred in 2015 when two Iranian teenagers were reportedly assaulted by Saudi officers at Jeddah Airport. According to official Iranian reports, this led to the suspension of Umrah pilgrimages from Iran and a wave of public and media outrage. While Saudi Arabia later arrested and convicted the officers involved, the damage to public trust remained.

 

­

Iranian pilgrim Khalil Dardmand was arrested near the Kaaba for holding a photo of Qasem Soleimani / WANA News Agency

Iranian pilgrim Khalil Dardmand was arrested near the Kaaba for holding a photo of Qasem Soleimani / WANA News Agency

The arrest of Iranian pilgrims by the Saudi authorities has a long history. Almost every few years during Hajj, Iranian citizens are detained under various pretexts.

 

In 2022, Iranian pilgrim Khalil Dardmand was arrested near the Kaaba for holding a photo of Qasem Soleimani and spent 80 days in Saudi custody.

 

Last year, Iranian cleric and cultural figure Hojjatoleslam Seyed Kazem Roohbakhsh was detained for 20 days for posting content critical of the Israeli regime on social media.

Iranian cleric and cultural figure Hojjatoleslam Seyed Kazem Roohbakhsh who was detained for 20 days for posting content critical of the Israeli regime on social media / WANA News Agency

Iranian cleric and cultural figure Hojjatoleslam Seyed Kazem Roohbakhsh who was detained for 20 days for posting content critical of the Israeli regime on social media / WANA News Agency

Another Iranian, Mohammad Hossein Ghanbari, was arrested for filming the streets of Medina with his mobile phone and held for more than 40 days. After his release, he recounted:

 

“I was in solitary confinement, unable to contact my family, fed meager rations, with a camera overhead and under psychological pressure. I wasn’t even allowed to walk in the cell.”

 

Similarly, a single Iranian woman was jailed for 30 days for filming in Medina. One pilgrim was detained for 10 days after sharing a video showing the names of the Fourteen Infallibles at Al-Masjid an-Nabawi.

 

Though Saudi authorities have consistently cited legal justifications—such as violations of media laws, disturbing public order, or specific religious behaviors—these repeated detentions have created a sense of instability and mistrust among Iranian pilgrims, especially given that Hajj is meant to symbolize the unity of the Islamic ummah.

Gholamreza Ghasemian: A Spark Reignited During Hajj 2025

In May 2025, the arrest of Hojjatoleslam Gholamreza Ghasemian—a university professor, prominent religious TV personality, cultural activist, and judge on the popular international Quran program Mahfel—once again drew attention to Saudi Arabia’s treatment of pilgrims.

 

Ghasemian was detained during the Hajj pilgrimage after posting a video on social media that sharply criticized Saudi Arabia’s cultural environment. In the video, he remarked that one might as well visit Mecca and Medina instead of Antalya, claiming that “casinos, prostitution centers, and immoral concerts” were now present in the holy cities. He likened the current era to that of the Umayyad dynasty—a period Shiites consider corrupt and spiritually misguided.

 

He also accused the Saudi government of diverting the spiritual essence of Hajj, handing control over to those focused solely on material gain—comments that made his arrest during Hajj 2025 highly controversial and widely debated.

While no official details have been released about his detention or location, Saudi media, including a spokesperson for the Ministry of Information, stated:

 

“We will take action against any violations that affect the security, tranquility, and spirituality of the Hajj pilgrimage.”

 

In response, Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization issued a formal statement urging pilgrims to respect the laws of the host country. Alireza Bayat, head of the organization, emphasized:

 

“Our constant advice to pilgrims is to respect Saudi regulations and avoid any actions that might cause division or misunderstanding.”

When Spirituality Cannot Be Separated from Politics

On the surface, Hajj appears to be a purely religious journey. Yet in reality, it unfolds under the control of nation-states—and Saudi Arabia, as host to millions of pilgrims annually, seeks strict control over narratives, behavior, and even the emotions of worshippers.

 

On one hand, Saudi Arabia fears any sign of protest, sectarian tension, or political messaging during the pilgrimage. On the other, some pilgrims—especially those from Shiite-majority countries like Iran—believe that Hajj should not be limited to prayer and ritual, but also serve as a platform to reflect the pain and struggles of the broader Islamic world.

 

These two perspectives, when combined with strict regulations, surveillance, and religious sensitivities, create an environment in which “silence” seems less like a personal choice and more like a compulsory necessity.

 

Perhaps the most crucial question arising from these events is this: How far has the Hajj strayed from its original meaning in today’s world? Can a sacred land still accommodate religious and cultural diversity? Or have political and security structures so dominated the spiritual experience that only a state-approved version of worship is deemed acceptable?

 

There is no simple answer. But the stories of Ghasemian, the assaulted teens at Jeddah airport, Mohammad Hossein Ghanbari, and others show that in today’s world, spirituality and politics are inseparable.

 

Perhaps the only way to preserve the sanctity of Hajj is through a transparent, honest, and cross-national dialogue among Islamic countries—to redefine the boundaries of freedom, security, and respect in a ritual meant to unite all Muslims, regardless of language, sect, or nationality, under one sacred house.