A thousand dead Muslim pilgrims

[Mister M]

Heard back from one, not from the other. Getting a bit worried now.

 

I hope you hear from your friend soon.

[dangerousedd]

seems the Saudis are blaming the Africans inability to follow instructions :-

 

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/mecca-eid-al-adha-hajj-135358828.html#VZgt4hd

 

"Saudi Arabia's head of the central Hajj commitee, Prince Khaled al-Faisal, has blamed the crush outside the holy city of Mecca that killed at least 717 people and injured 850 more on "some pilgrims with African nationalities".

 

People from several different countries are reported to have died in the stampede, which took place when two groups of pilgrims arrived at a crossroads on Street 204 at the tent city of Mina for a traditional stone-throwing ritual.

 

Prince Khaled's controversial remarks on undisciplined pilgrims were echoed by Saudi health minister Khaled al-Falih, who was quoted by El-Ekhbariya television as saying that "many pilgrims move without respecting the timetables [set by authorities, which was the] principal reason for this type of accident. If the pilgrims had followed instructions, this type of accident could have been avoided."

 

Among the casualties of the incident, which happened on first day of the Eid al-Adha festival (24 September), are at least 43 Iranian nationals. Iranian officials accused Saudi Arabia of mismanagement and lack of safety in the aftermath of the tragedy.

 

The head of Iran's Hajj organisation, Said Ohadi, said the incident was caused by the authorities' decision to close two paths near the scene of the symbolic 'stoning of the devil' ritual. "Today's incident shows mismanagement and lack of serious attention to the safety of pilgrims. There is no other explanation. The Saudi officials should be held accountable," he said on Iranian state television according to AFP.

 

Iran's deputy foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said a Saudi diplomatic envoy would be summoned over the incident. "We can in no way be indifferent to this irresponsible behaviour of Saudi Arabia. This will be dealt with through diplomatic channels. Saudi Arabian officials are responsible for this incident and they should immediately endeavour to take effective measures for managing the existing crisis and providing full security for pilgrims."

 

The stone-throwing ritual emulates the actions of Prophet Abraham, who is believed to have stoned the devil at three locations when he attempted to discourage Abraham from God's order to sacrifice his son Ishmael. God eventually spares the boy and sends a sheep to be sacrificed in his place.

 

Muslims gathered until dawn at the Muzdalifah where they picked their pebbles and put them in empty water bottles. They had spent a day of prayer on a vast Saudi plain and Mount Arafat, which sits 10km from Mina. The ritual itself takes place at a five-storey, 1km-long structure known as the Jamarat Bridge, near the scene of the crush.

"

[mort]

A number of offensive posts and those quoting them have been removed. Show some respect - people are dead and the best you can do is score cheap points. Any more of this and I will be issuing suspensions.

[Hesther]

A terrible tragedy. RIP.

[tzijlstra]

Other is safe and sound as well. He did see the aftermath of the tragedy though. Pretty horrific all.

[janie48]

This was a tragic disaster. RIP.

[floydjones]

I would like to apologize for posting thoughts that others found offensive.

 

I am sorry.

[neilwhit]

I find it offensive that you should have to apologize for posting your thoughts.

[Timeh]

I find it offensive that you should have to apologize for posting your thoughts.

 

Thoughts are private, everyone's entitled to them. When thoughts are made public they are no longer private and so other peoples sensibilities must be considered.

 

---------- Post added 26-09-2015 at 11:12 ----------

 

This was a tragic disaster. RIP.

 

Yeah. Horrific from our point of view but from a devout muslims point of view they have been called to a better place and are probably considered lucky to have passed away early.

What ever i feel about religion, all religion i cant help but admire this way of thinking.

Anyway, RIP to the ones who died.

[Nagel]

You know it's going to happen again. It's a regular occurrence at the Haj, just too many people in one place.

 

The event was never designed for the era of cheap mass travel. Perhaps the Saudis will have to consider limiting numbers, if that's even possible.