MINA, 3 February 2004 — Pilgrims again stoned the devil symbolically here, a day after 251 pilgrims died performing the same ritual. In the last of the Haj rituals, pilgrims chanting “God is Greatest,” threw seven small pebbles at each of three gray stone pillars. The stoning, which symbolizes the rejection of evil, will be repeated again today as the Haj draws to a close.
The pilgrims were in relatively good spirits but at mid-day, many of them were still hesitant to perform the ritual due to the massive crowds on the Jamrat Bridge where Sunday’s tragedy took place. Police blared warnings via megaphones and helicopters hovered in the sky yesterday attempting to prevent another disaster. Watched by security forces, the pilgrims were directed to approach the stoning site in orderly groups.
Despite all this there was another stampede, but fortunately no one died, Health Minister Hamad Al-Mani told reporters in the evening.
After Sunday’s stampede, the authorities said they had strengthened emergency services. Medical units were set up around the pillars to deal with any emergency.
“Seven among the wounded died overnight between Sunday and Monday,” Health Ministry spokesman Khaled Mirghalani said, updating an earlier death toll of 244 to 251. “Among the dead are 144 pilgrims from Asia, 53 nationals from Arab countries and 10 from African countries. The remainder are from other countries,” said Mirghalani.
An earlier official toll listed the dead as 54 Indonesians, 36 Pakistanis, 13 Egyptians, 11 Turks, 11 Indians, 10 Algerians, 10 Bangladeshis, eight Sudanese, seven Moroccans, five Chinese, four Yemenis, three Sri Lankans, two Afghans, two Somalis, two Syrians, two Saudis, one Burmese, one Omani, one Tunisian, one Nigerian, one Chadian and one Cameroonian. Another 58 people who died had not been identified. The Health Ministry said the injured include eight Pakistanis, six Bangladeshis, five Indians, five Turks, four Egyptians, three Sudanese, two Britons and one each from Nigeria, Niger, Iraq, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Somalia and Morocco.
Officials and eyewitnesses pointed a finger at so-called “illegal” pilgrims who overstay their visit in the Kingdom and swell the huge crowds by joining in the rituals without Haj permits. These pilgrims are the most likely ones to carry bags and bundles on the bridge, which created obstacles to smooth movement.
With only one day before the completion of this year’s Haj, many pilgrims are engaged in supplication and prayers. Muhammad Musali from Kampala, Uganda, who is performing the Haj along with a large group, said the whole exercise required mental preparation. “Pilgrims should be encouraged to familiarize themselves with all aspects of Haj,” he said. “The more you know about Haj and its obligations and prohibitions,” he pointed out, “the more comfortable and at peace you will feel during the whole process.”
— Additional input from agencies
