Riyadh, Sha'ban 7, 1437, May 14, 2016, SPA -- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states denounced Iranian attempts to politicize Hajj and exploit it to abuse Saudi Arabia. In a press statement announced here today, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani said that GCC condemns the attitude of the Iranian Islamic Republic aimed at politicizing Hajj, by putting obstacles in the way of reaching a final agreement, governing Iranian pilgrims to perform Hajj, of the next season. The Gulf Cooperation Council calls on Iranian officials to be aware that Hajj is a sacred religious duty to all Muslims and should not be linked to attitudes and political differences between the countries, and demands competent authorities, in Iran, to cooperate with the Saudi authorities, responsible for organizing pilgrimage season, in order to allow Iranian pilgrims to, comfortably, perform the rituals, in safely and peace, along with their fellow Muslims, from all over the world. Dr. Al Zayani expressed appreciation of the GCC countries and the Islamic world for the great efforts and facilities, the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques provides, in order to take care of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors of the holy places, in Saudi Arabia, proceeding from its duty and responsibility towards serving the Two Holy Mosques. -- SPA 00:42 LOCAL TIME 21:42 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w