Haj stampede death toll rises to 769, Iran denounces 'crime'
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DUBAI: The death toll in a crush at the annual Haj pilgrimage outside Makkah rose to 769, Saudi Arabia said on Saturday, as arch-rival Iran said Saudi officials should be tried in an international court for what it called a crime.
The worst disaster to befall the Islamic event in a quarter of a century occurred on Thursday as two large groups of pilgrims arrived together at a crossroads in Mina, a few kilometres outside the holy city.
“The latest statistics up to this hour reveal 769 dead. That is an increase of 52 on the previous figures,” Saudi health minister Khalid al-Falih told a news conference.
“Those are the ones who died in various hospitals since the event,” he said, adding that 934 people were wounded.
Iran, which is locked in a series of proxy wars in Arab countries around the Saudi kingdom, says that at least 136 Iranians are among the dead, sparking protests and outrage in the Islamic Republic on Friday.
Over 300 other Iranians remain unaccounted for, including former ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi, Fars news agency reported.
“We will urge international courts and circles to start the trial of the Saudis for their crimes against Haj pilgrims,” Iran's Prosecutor General Ebrahim Raisi was quoted as saying by student news agency ISNA on Saturday
“This is not incompetence, it's a crime,” Raisi told state broadcaster IRIB.
Protecting the visitors to mosques at the holy cities of Makkah and Madina is a key pillar of legitimacy for the Saudi royal family, and the king has the title of “custodian of the two shrines.”
Speaking to the country's crown prince Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, top Saudi cleric Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh said he did not hold authorities responsible for the disaster.
“You are not responsible for what happened. You dealt with the beneficial factors that were in your hands and within your ability. As for the things that humans cannot control, you cannot be blamed for them. Fate and destiny are inevitable,” Al al-Sheikh, known as the Grand Mufti, said in a televised statement.
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Comments (106) Closed
Sep 26, 2015 08:33pm
So sad. Could this be better organised? I am not sure. But it makes sense that both Makkah and Madina be under the jurisdiction of more Islamic nations.
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Sep 26, 2015 08:43pm
Iran I was with you until you brought in the ICC. Iran has always called all the international agencies including the ICC a one sided organization and today they are calling for ICC to investigate. I will say shame on Iranians on this one for making this event as a political.
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Sep 26, 2015 08:46pm
Punish those who are responsible for maitaining security for over 2 million people, if you can't provide proper security why issue visa's and make $10 Billion in revenue from those
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Sep 26, 2015 08:49pm
Iran needs to relax and not be aggressive all the time. Stop the blame game. All Muslim countries need get together and chalk out a plan for future Hajj's. Communication I believe is the biggest drawback. Either start hiring bi-lingual people hence they will be able to talk and guide the people from different countries. And of course, the Saudis should deal with the people responsible for this sad incident. May them departed rest in peace.
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Sep 26, 2015 08:51pm
@Khurshid perhaps you should offer a counter suggestion. ICC is the only recognized world body. If they are not one sided then they can come out and prove it. With 500 Iranians dead or injured, they are justified in raising this as a concern to a recognized world body.
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Sep 26, 2015 08:52pm
@Khurshid
Although I agree with your point, someone has to push SA on this.
Do you think Pakistan will say anything?
I can only see Iran saying something to pressurize Saudi...
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Sep 26, 2015 08:56pm
Complete mismanagement .
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Sep 26, 2015 09:01pm
It was a grave act of crime committed by a group of pilgrims who broke the rules and took an exit the wrong way, a video clearly shows Saudi police trying to stop the pilgrims running towards entrance, please get some facts
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Sep 26, 2015 09:03pm
@Sajid It was a mistake or rather act carelessness by few Pilgrims that tried to exit towards entrance whicb caused the stampede.
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Sep 26, 2015 09:05pm
Blame game is the easiest to play. The only solution is to train the pilgrims of each country by their representatives how to be disciplined and and maintain harmony in such a mega event. Every one has to realize it's an event of Sabar. Patience. The moment you lose it, it's catastrophe. No any country has the capability to control such a multinational mob each year except ksa.
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Sep 26, 2015 09:05pm
Only Iran has the guts to tell spade a spade. True Persian. All other countries are just ok with their master's inability to provide security.
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Sep 26, 2015 09:06pm
@Khurshid
I am not sure there is any other platform at this point that House of Saud can be brought for the accountability. There must be an accountability, and liability claims should be filed in ICC.
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Sep 26, 2015 09:12pm
I went for Hajj last year. Over 2 million people performed Hajj last year as well. Everything went smooth. I don't remember anyone appreciating them or thanking them for last year or for hundreds of years. It's a thankless job that they are doing.
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Sep 26, 2015 09:15pm
@weqjan they ran as they did not know where to run
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Sep 26, 2015 09:17pm
@redrock Allied are aggressive in Afghanistan; Iraq; Syria; Libya; Palestine; Bosnia; Burma; Yemen; Bahrain...
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Sep 26, 2015 09:20pm
Everyone needs to be careful before passing judgement and certainly not trying to make political points. My brother who is in hajj this year said it was clearly hajji's who ignored warnings, signs and security personnel and started making their own way back (despite being told to follow the route).
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Sep 26, 2015 09:22pm
Very sad and my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved one during this tragic incident. SA may kindly take precautions and insure the safety of pilgrims during Haj. It may be the result of poor planning, handling of large crowed and lack of surveillance system to ensure discipline. The country should reduce the intake to the level where it can be easily managed.
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Sep 26, 2015 09:24pm
Clearly people commenting here have never been to hajj lately. Saudi government provides excellent facilites to Hujjaj during hajj. We have to stop playing blame game.
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Sep 26, 2015 09:24pm
@weqjan
Don't blame the victim. Saudi police yelling in Arabic isn't good crowd control when most pilgrims aren't arab.
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Sep 26, 2015 09:27pm
We must remember one thing, Haj is a unique event which can not be compared with any other gathering. Millions of people have to move many places in short span of time, Mina, Arfah, Muzdalfa and Mina again. If the reports of one group of pilgrims entering from the exit are correct then authorities cannot be blamed much. You don't use force here to stop people. We need to know the outcome of inquiry prior blaming anyone. From my personal experience, I know that some pilgrims moving in groups do force their way which can cause problems.
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Sep 26, 2015 09:28pm
Saudi Medical sources as per Al Jazeera put the stampede death toll to 1184 4 hours ago.
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Sep 26, 2015 09:31pm
This not the time to blame and settle accounts...the whole Islamic world is sad...Iran should not do what it is doing...There is so much the Saudi government id doing to make the Haj comfortable ... which must appreciate...I have been for Haj more than once the Saudi Government is very cooperative and extremely helpful to Guests of God.
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Sep 26, 2015 09:32pm
Fate and destiny
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Sep 26, 2015 09:32pm
@RA Khan At a time when the Grand Mufti came into action so quickly and totally absolved the responsible persons from any negligence how can punishment aspect even be imagined ? And what else was this cleric expected to say except in favour.
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Sep 26, 2015 09:32pm
As per news reports Iran has called for investigation by the United Nations.
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Sep 26, 2015 09:52pm
Unable to manage such grand event.
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Sep 26, 2015 10:08pm
Fate?
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Sep 26, 2015 10:09pm
Stupidity
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Sep 26, 2015 10:15pm
@Iran, Please stop politicizing this matter.
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Sep 26, 2015 10:21pm
@weqjan I have done hajj this year and I completely disagree with you. I have seen miss management all over.
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Sep 26, 2015 10:22pm
iran needs to stop making this into a political point scoring match. what has happened is a trajedy and it should be dealt in a respectable and decent manner by all countries.
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Sep 26, 2015 10:39pm
the tragic incident calls for international judisial enquiry to fix the responsibilty!
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Sep 26, 2015 10:40pm
Sad even! Not easy managing such a huge event and these things tend to happen! However a transparent process of investigation is required involving Muslim states and appropriate measures taken to ensure that the Hajj continues safe and secure. Each new incident bring new learning (unfortunately) for those who manage it. For example the outbreak of fire in one hajj has prompted authorities to use better fire proof material in tents (or at least material that is less prone catching fire). However, it is impossible to foresee every possibility and take every possible measure.
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Sep 26, 2015 10:56pm
On Friday, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said that 236 of its citizens were missing, but later reported that 86 of them had been located. www.gulfnews.com
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/saudi-arabia/relatives-struggle-to-find-missing-pilgrims-after-haj-tragedy-1.1590133
Still more than 100 pakistanis are missing, Its really really very bad
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Sep 26, 2015 11:01pm
Iran is so true.
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Sep 26, 2015 11:10pm
So Sad & this is not the 1st time.............. Its a repeat
I pray it never happens again ever...............
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Sep 26, 2015 11:12pm
@RA Khan One has to be honest, even in criticising someone you hate. How do you know that Saudi Government is earning a revenue of $10 Billion from Haj Visas? Do you have any idea of how much Saudi Government is spending on Haj arrangements? If you have performed Haj, you would know how much personnel, material and logistics are required to take care of food, shelter, security and other requirements for 3 million people gathered in an area of less than 100 square kilometer.
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Sep 26, 2015 11:23pm
Issue should not be politicized
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Sep 26, 2015 11:34pm
The talk in saudi arabia is that a senior prince came to mina and because of his protocol, all the gates on the route were closed except one. The saudi authorities should make the 4000 camera recordings public if they think they are not responsible for this tragedy.
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Sep 26, 2015 11:53pm
@WEQJAN dont refer to that video.. it was old video of 2012.. And those who like your comment should also update their knowledge.. this is totally different incident.. Responsibility comes with accountability..
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Sep 27, 2015 12:00am
@Weqjan d video u referred to doesnt show wt u infered..The pilgrims beoke tat gate cz of fact tat they were crammed inside a thin strip of area and the sweltring heat n suffocation made them break that gate cz they needed a let out..d point is what prompted the saudis to crowd them all in such small area..rumors have this that they were made to be restricted to such area cz d prince was busy Performing the sacred ritual n so d common pilgrims had to be contained..
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Sep 27, 2015 12:00am
I have red the various accounts from the eye witnesses who were performing the rituals @ the scene.. Three of them are from Egypt, Uganda and Senegal, all prominent journalists and correspondent of TV news. They all blame Saudi Arabia for closing the gates, the overhead flying helicopters failed to detect the out of control crowd. According to them ( all the reporters ) all the troopers were unfamiliar with the site and even did not know the street numbers where the tragedy was taking place. The security officers were brought fresh from the barracks with ZERO training. Looks like no was on the switch just having fun, flying the chopper. Shame on the people responsible an should be condemned in strongest term. Lives could have easily saved but incompetents were minding the store.
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Sep 27, 2015 12:02am
@weqjan : Please forget your rules and for a moment think of all the families who have been effected by deaths and injuries. Yes there are rules, but enforcement of rules in the responsibility of the Saudi government in which it has failed squarely and completely
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Sep 27, 2015 12:17am
@Khurshid Brother you are right involving any non muslim international agencies is not good but OIC is the best forum to discuss and handle this issue.After proper investigation steps should be taken for further improvement to prevent these kind of accidents in future.
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Sep 27, 2015 12:22am
Its sadest day for consolence
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Sep 27, 2015 12:26am
@redrock I think there is a point being made here. Saudis earn billions every year from these pilgrims and some of them are indeed poor. A rich nation with access to every possible technology conceivable can do this much better. We can understand poor countries facing such tragedies.
I think there needs to be pressure on Saudis from some where and Iran had the courage.
It's not blame game but the iron had to be struck now not later.
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Sep 27, 2015 12:37am
There was no crime here. This was a tragedy created by the people in attendance who were impatient and not aware of crowd mentality. Rest in peace to those unfortunates who lost their life.
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Sep 27, 2015 12:52am
Dissapointing statement from the Mufti. He seems to suggest that crowd control is out of human control. Maybe for the Saudis it is then? time to restrict the number of pilgrims if that is the case.
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Sep 27, 2015 01:19am
Please publish my earlier comments as I sick and tired of unjustified one way blame on Saudi Authorities. I want to give message to Saudi brothers that silent majority of Pakistani nationals are with them and won't let any enemy designs be successful. Long live Saudi Arabia and our Saudi brothers. I will start social media campaign in support of Saudi and challenge on logical grounds to contest.
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Sep 27, 2015 01:52am
Did the authorities know how many will be attending?
Did they plan for this many?
Who did the planning?
Were they capable and experienced?
Were they able to implement the plan?
Is more money needed?
Who pays for it?
Why always Iranians and Pakistanis die?
How many Saudis die? Why?
And how to prevent in the future?
Is there a mechanism to listen to grievances and implement the suggestions?
Can the decision making be taken out of good-for-nothing Saudi princes?
Can this be made a collective responsibility?
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Sep 27, 2015 01:54am
@weqjan
you are blaming the victims.
instead of police, more volunteers are needed.
this happens too often, don't you think?
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Sep 27, 2015 02:07am
Very sad for Iran to be playing blame game. Saudis need to have soul searching and build businesses in Makkah and should work on facilities that assets pilgrims. Two things need to be done, one reduce numbers and making training pilgrims compulsory.
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Sep 27, 2015 02:08am
@Khurshid
dear khurshid sb, 750 people have died due to sheer negligence and ineptness , this is not a political issue, asking for international probe is a legitimate demand for any country who cares about their people.
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Sep 27, 2015 02:08am
Why there were no security personnel at the Entrance and Exit location to enforce orderly movement of pilgrims knowingly that most pilgrims are either unaware of rules or unwilling to comply with rules? The Saudis know about it from their past experience.
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Sep 27, 2015 02:26am
@weqjan The video clearly showed the police opened the side wall and not the pilgrims. Open your eyes and see and don't listen to news anchors.
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Sep 27, 2015 03:01am
Khali wali iran, i was there at mina performing hajj myself with my family. Its fate and the people who lost their lives are shaheed. Managing more than 2.5 million is no joke. I was there with my kids but we followed the instructions and some times had to walk 2 kilometers just to be safe and follow the routes. Alhamdulillah. Due to heat and exhaustion some times people get rest less.
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Sep 27, 2015 03:09am
In these type of accidents, most of the deaths occure due to suffocation. Some how they need to have oxygen flowing out of the flooring at the most vulnerable areas.
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Sep 27, 2015 03:23am
In order to reduce the numbers, people should only be allowed to perform one Hajj in their lifetime. Less people would mean better safety and lower costs for the attendees.
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Sep 27, 2015 03:58am
It is very sad that on Haj accidents happen resulting in deaths. Either the hujaaj dont understand or dont want to understand to control emotions and be considerate of others. Haj is not a sales event where people are in rush to buy things on sale. Masjid baitul harraam is a sacred place and it demands that we should behave and act with gracefully and soberly.
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Sep 27, 2015 04:52am
To save yourself from taking responsibility, blame it on fate and destiny? What a lame excuse!!
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Sep 27, 2015 05:42am
More sad news yet to come. There are lot of people unaccounted for & some seriously injured. I pray to God Almighty to mercy on Muslims.
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Sep 27, 2015 06:07am
Video clip on Sama TV clearly shows that the chaos was created by the way the mob broke down the barrier and started running in the opposite direction.
Saudia Government can not be blamed for the stupidity of the mob.
It may come as a surprise to some that the Haj and Umra fees goes to the agents and not the Saudi Government, which is spending billions of dollars every year for the pilgrims.
Please spare the blame game for another day.
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Sep 27, 2015 06:08am
I have one sincere suggestion to Saudi govt to better organize this Grant event keep capacity of 2.5 millions pilgrims but strictly allow only 1.5 or 2.0 millions to perform Hajj from all across the world. Please always consider quality over the quantity as well safety of human life.The current restriction of 5 years should be 10 years for 2nd Hajj.
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Sep 27, 2015 07:27am
Saudis should invite international experts from all over the world to design a fool proof system
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Sep 27, 2015 07:50am
@Saeed Masood
So you answered the question every Muslim have. The accountability of the past possession of all the holy places of Islam and future control by some kind of Islamic Trust.
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Sep 27, 2015 08:18am
People going to concert and big gatherings the organizer are responsible for the safety and disaster recovery plan.
I think there should Hajj Task force that are only trained for this event. May be give contracts to different international companies to help in getting this fool proof.
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Sep 27, 2015 08:22am
should I call it incompetence or gross negligence ;where was plan for crowd control? So sweet of custodians to wash their hand off and retort to eventual finality.
Been there, seen it and expected it.
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Sep 27, 2015 08:35am
The Saudis will have to be brought to heel as their incompetence cannot be brushed under in the name of fate as the Saudi Mufti implies! It is a shame that no apologies are forthcoming instead blaming the Hajis or anybody else under the sun for this truly tragic event
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Sep 27, 2015 08:39am
@Farhan Can somebody tell this to the relatives of the ones who were crushed in this total fiasco...I am sure that will ring a great deal of consolation!!
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Sep 27, 2015 08:52am
Saudis should make sure this does not happen, it is not rocket science of it happens every year.
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Sep 27, 2015 09:01am
Identification of bodies is a daunting task because in stampede all those who died may not necessarily be found with personal identification since no country including Saudia has ever thought of that each haji must wear identification bands mentioning his name, nationality, home address, phone, fax, email along with his emergency contact number which can be used in case of stampede when ahram could possibly come off. Some bodies can be mutilated/ disfigured & if haji dies along with his family or friend then it becomes too complicated. All 4 identifications bands (2 each on hands and feet) cannot be off from the body. I wish I am wrong which I am not. It happened on Th morn and it is Sa morn bulk majority have still not been identified otherwise Saudis which confirm 764 deaths should have released personal details of each and every one but it is no so means they are clueless to identify many shaheeds. Who differs with me? Iqbal Hadi Zaidi/ Kuwait / zaidi.x.diplomat@hotmail.com
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Sep 27, 2015 09:17am
@Misbah thank them for what ? Putting hundred of meters long cranes on top of the praying pilgrims in extreme weather, destroying all remnants of islamic heritage in the area or making billions of dollars from pilgrims ?? The title of guardians of the holy places does not give the sauds a blank sheet for whatever they do !!
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Sep 27, 2015 09:23am
In any tourist country, international standards are followed to facilitate tourists.
However I feel that they are falling short of provisioning such facilities.
Just as an example, the authorities claiming that they kept announcing instructions and warnings, however does any one know the language used for announcement and if it was understood by the international crowd!!!
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Sep 27, 2015 09:35am
Over the years the no of people coming to Hajj has increased exponentially and many people are performing Hajj every year...and this phenomena is more common within Saudi Arabia.In Saudi Arabia people are using every illegal way to perform Hajj despite the strict restrictions and regulations from government which results in overcrowding resulting is shortage of resources and tragedies.Hajj in mandatory only once in life if you have ample financial resources and social conditions are feasible.Imams and clerics should council and guide people about these things.
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Sep 27, 2015 09:52am
@Nadim One Haj in life time proposal is not totally convincing.
However, such a rule can easily be made where no one is allowed to go to Hajj every year. There should be a compulsory gap of 5 years in between Hajj trips of any individual.
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Sep 27, 2015 09:56am
@Khurshid No politics for sure....but why and how can Iran remain silent when most of the casualties is from Iran ? Its demand for international probe to fix responsibilities is very justified and so Saudis should agree to this demand.
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Sep 27, 2015 10:00am
Timeline of fatal Hajj incidents in Saudi Arabia
http://presstv.com/Detail/2015/09/26/430845/Hajj-tragedies-pilgrimage-Mina-Jamarat-Saudi-Arabia
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Sep 27, 2015 10:25am
It is a serious crime. The Saudis cannot get away with this. Lakhs of devotees visit the holiest place only to die . Shame. It is a proven fact that the Saudi rulers with their men, are not able to handle the Haz. Let all muslim countries unite together and discuss with a positive attitude with the Saudi authorities to share the information and the responsibility of this epic festival. Sharing no information of accidents and only paying hefty amount to the deceased cannot absolve them , only shows their adamancy of not learning from the past mistakes.
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Sep 27, 2015 10:40am
It's simple to print the time of entry for shaitans stoning while issuing the Visa even if 50% follow target achieved
I don't know why everyone is in hurry ? You have to
Stay in Mina for three days do it later
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Sep 27, 2015 10:41am
@Misbah What thanks they are not giving everything for free. and you have any how much Hajj revenue.
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Sep 27, 2015 10:43am
@Asad H 131 Iranians are dead not 500. Donor exaggerate and don't politicize this issue
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Sep 27, 2015 10:43am
@Concerned Once again, as I said get the facts, there is no denying in what you said as many have mentioned Mismanagement by authorities but the incident was a direct consequence of few Pilgrims taking exit right into the entrance, Authorities there do their best to educate Pilgrims, many go with basic training, its the largest crowd on planet and management is a great challenge, but this was grave negligence and criminal careless act by few Pilgrims, approx. thousand deaths are now on their account.
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Sep 27, 2015 10:46am
@prem they should have stopped when asked by Authorities, TV coverage shows Police trying to grab them from behind and those careless Pilgrims resisting that
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Sep 27, 2015 10:49am
@Raz This was a new video that I am referring to, even the verbal description of incident matches what is shown in video, it is not a video of 2012, as I am repeatedly saying get your facts correct
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Sep 27, 2015 10:54am
@AW Yearly thousands of deaths are caused by road accidents and many of them are caused by breaking traffic rules imposed by competent authorities i.e. driving innyhe wrong lane or in opposite direction, rules no matter how well devised ultimately are to be followed by people
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Sep 27, 2015 11:28am
My sister arrived from Hajj yesterday and she told me that it wasn't due to any official negligence, but a group of Hajis who went in the opposite direction of where they should have. She isn't sure of the nationalities, but she is sure that the stampede was not because of a security convoy.
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Sep 27, 2015 11:36am
@Zubair - if officials are not involved in this incident then why family of Saud are reluctant to face international level enquiry for died people from different countries. Each and every country lost their hujaj have right to ask for fair enquiries
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Sep 27, 2015 02:20pm
@Misbah They make over 10 billion dollars only in Visa fee...the hotels they are building charge 1000USD per night...thankless job?
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Sep 27, 2015 03:23pm
@Misbah they earn huge money; if it is thankless job hand it over to others.
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Sep 27, 2015 03:49pm
@sid
If Saudis reduce the number of Pilgrims it will reduce there collection and there fun at the French Riviera and will make them unhappy.
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Sep 27, 2015 03:57pm
Dawn team u have disappointed by not publishing my comments when they were pro Saudi and against Iran.
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Sep 27, 2015 07:22pm
I seriously see a problem both in terms of lack of Saudi effort and planning to avoid accidents and the lack of information and knowledge and activities on the part of hujjaj. Certainly there is no consensus of Muslim countries to come together to resolve the situation. Saudi government as usual uses rough handling techniques that harass the hujjaj and they run around in fear. Loudspeaker announcements by Saudis are in Arabic which is not understood by 70 percent of hujjaj. Its time for muslim countries to put together a volunteer force from all nationalities that should be trained well on the spot prior to Hajj so that they can help at the time of Hajj.
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Sep 27, 2015 08:29pm
The two holy cities of Makkah and Madina should be a common heritage for all the muslim countries of the world. Their custodianship must be based on a rotational basis and a large part of the revenues thus generated on account of the Hajj expensed should be spent for the maintenace of the holy shirines and for the welfare of the pilgrims and the remaining part should be dedicated to the poor segments of the people of Islamic countries under a authentic, honest and acceptable to all sort of international Islamic supervisory body. Making a single family, whose credentials are dubious, would yield nothing but more greed for wealth, greater lust for pump and show and less care for the woes of majority of the financially weak Islamic countries. After all both the holy cities can not be handed over to thieves and murders altogether as in the case of the current regime and its claims to be the cusdodians of the two holy shirines. Think correctly in the right direction is the message.
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Sep 27, 2015 09:21pm
@zulfeqar They aren't reluctant, impatient people assumed this, processes take their time and professionals have a way of working, they are not PTI
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Sep 27, 2015 09:40pm
@just_someone
Pakistan should stay neutral
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Sep 28, 2015 03:18am
@Aman Khan Do you know how much the Hajis pay for their accommodation, food and transportation? It is not free at all. Depending on the type of accommodation, food and transportation, it is asubstantial amount. Where do you think this money is going????
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Sep 28, 2015 04:23am
Yes I agree this is the fault of Saudi's and they must apologize and give assurances of safety and security.. Their prince and other so called royals should perform Haj just as anyone else.. Why should they get special privilege??
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Sep 28, 2015 05:26am
It happened in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, therefore, they should take the blame of this tragedy and ask for apology for all Muslim nations Hajji died during the stampede.
Saudis are the custodian, therefore it should hurt them to apologize for hundreds killed in the last day of Haj.
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Sep 28, 2015 09:52am
@RA Khan
It was 30 billion USD two year back as I read in an Rabnews report directly earned from Hajj fees.
The rest earning is even no of times more.
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Sep 28, 2015 10:11am
Iran is rightly concerned about loss of life. Iran is not a slave of Saudi Arabia or political leaders in Iran don't have investment in Saudi Arabia that they will not speak there mind. This year first prize winner your reciter got martyred in the stampede. Martyr Mohsin Hasni who won first prize in Malaysia. Second every one know Saudi are incompetent people and system, watch the video of Royal family doing stoning and rituals. Saudi should investigate in fair and bring it to people, only then people will get satisfy. Don't push it under the rug please
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Sep 28, 2015 11:30am
Saudis are truly pathetic at this, take a look at their track record:
2015: At least 769 people are killed and more than 800 injured. Another 111 killed in crain crash.
2006: More than 360 pilgrims are killed in a stampede in Mina A day before the hajj begins, the collapse of an eight-story building used as a hostel near the Grand Mosque kills 73.
2004: A crush of pilgrims at Mina kills 244 people and injures hundreds on the hajj's final day.
2001: A stampede at Mina on the final day of the hajj kills 35 people.
1998: About 180 people are trampled to death in panic after several of them fall from an overpass during the stoning ritual at Mina.
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Sep 28, 2015 01:33pm
Iran is fully justified in calling for a proper investigation. It is a shared muslim heritage for which all muslims have rights.
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Sep 28, 2015 02:59pm
@weqjan Mob is never to blame. There are also reports that roads were closed and some gates blocked to facilitate Royal family prince and some deligates from GCC which precipitated this crisis. God knows whether this is true but we know most Muslim countries' rulers would do anything to secure and facilitate themselves irrespective of the impact on ordinary people. So it could be possible.
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Sep 28, 2015 09:05pm
@Zubair Sure. It was due to a group of Hajis going in the opposite direction that caused the fiasco and hence the stampede. But your learned and all-informed sister conveniently (or deliberately) forgot to tell you what caused the stampede. It was because a Prince decided to go for Haj and naturally how could His Majesty perform along with us commoners. The roads were cordoned off for the Prince and people were made to walk the other way. This is what caused the stampede. Their excuse that people did not follow the instructions is lame. If the routes are changed at the last minute how can you expect such large crowds to follow them?
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Sep 29, 2015 08:32am
@Misbah 100 of years? do you even know when the house of saud took over this land?
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Sep 29, 2015 10:18am
Total visas should be limited to $1.5 million (i.e. half of current). First timers should be given priority over the repeat hajis.
It is place to go perform the prayers and rituals in peace and not a to cause headaches, death, and stepping over each other..
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