JEDDAH: The GCC has condemned politicization of Haj by Iran. It came following Iran’s decision to ban its citizens from going to the Kingdom for the pilgrimage. Abdullatif Al-Zayani, GCC secretary-general, rapped Tehran for not signing the standard agreement for Haj 2016. “The GCC calls on Iran to respect Haj as a holy ritual which should not be linked with political problems. The bloc urges Iran’s cooperation with the Kingdom to allow Iranians to perform Haj,” Al-Zayani said. The Gulf bloc appreciated Saudi efforts to serve pilgrims.