Muhamadi urges Government to reconsider its decision over Turkish Pilgrims

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) MP, Waleed al-Muhamadi, of the Wasat Alliance urged “The Government to reconsider its decision over turning back the Turkish pilgrims to Turkey,” noting that “The decision is not good for Iraq‘s reputation and the Turkish people.”

He stated to Iraqi News (IraqiNews.com) “Taking such decision reflects improper image over Iraq especially that this issue is not political or commercial.”

“The Turkish Government facilitates the Iraqis entrance to its territories without discrimination so why we deal with the Turkish pilgrims with such sensitivity,” 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.