(www.irna.ir) - Deputy Superintendent of Imam Reza's (AS) holy shrine, Seyed Ahmad Alavi, in a meeting with the Saudi Consul in Mashhad Bandar Mohammed Jamil referred to development of pilgrimage facilities between Iran and Saudi Arabia as a spiritual bridge connecting the two states.
According to a report released by Imam Reza's (AS) holy shrine, he said that Arab-speaking pilgrims visiting the holy city of Mashhad can benefit from the various plans prepared for them, reports Trend.
Turning to the great number of Iranians wishing to go on pilgrimage to the holy Saudi cities of Mecca and Medina as well as the Saudis desiring to visit the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), he said that facilitating such visits can serve as a spiritual connection bridge between the two countries.
Urging the need for unity among Muslims, the official said that the presence of foreign forces in the region is against the interests of Islamic states.
"Besides, foreign troops in the Middle East account for the great number of problems and difficulties for the region," he added.
For his part, the Saudi diplomat expressed satisfaction with the considerable development of holy places and their Islamic architecture, adding that 26,000 Saudi pilgrims visited Imam Reza's (AS) holy shrine in the summer of 2006.
"A proper ground for Iran-Saudi Arabia cooperation has been prepared in Mashhad. The stronger and broader the relations between Islamic states, the less the threats facing the world of Islam and the more enemies will fear the consequences of such unity among Muslims," added the Saudi consul.