MP urges government to permit Turkish pilgrims to pass through Iraq to Mecca

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) MP, Talal al-Zubayi, of the Iraqiya Slate urged “The Iraqi Government to permit the Turkish pilgrims to pass through the Iraqi territories to Mecca.”

Speaking to Iraqi News (IraqiNews.com), he said “This case is dangerous and we can not ignore it because it will consolidate the isolation of Iraq from its Arabic and regional countries.”

“Preventing the pilgrims from keeping on their trip towards the holy places in Mecca because they had their visas from Kurdistan Region in not acceptable because it contradicts the Arabic hospitality which Iraq is famous for,” he added.

“It was possible to deal with this issue wisely by cooperating with the pilgrims and then contacting with the Turkish sides to avoid such thing in the future,” he assured.

“This will negatively affects Iraq‘s relations with the world especially the neighboring countries,” he continued.

“The internal disputes should not be reflected while dealing the Turkish pilgrims,” he concluded.

Earlier, the Iraqi Government confirmed “Turning back the convoy of the Turkish pilgrims to Turkey because they entered the Iraqi territories without getting legal permissions.”

A statement by Maliki’s office received by IraqiNews.com cited “The specialized authorities stopped several buses that came from Turkey to Iraq through Kurdistan Region without coordination or prior notice for the Iraqi Government on last Wednesday night and Thursday morning.”

“Because there were no legal approvals for these buses, they were sent back to Turkey,” the statement added.

“The Government took only this procedure despite their illegal entrance into Iraq because they were pilgrims,” the statement continued.

“The Government confirms that all the Turkish pilgrims have to get their visas and legal approval from the Iraqi embassies and consulates in their country,” the statement concluded.