Unrelated Deaths Among Totals
Officials Clear Up Misunderstandings
ISLAM NEWSROOM: Saudi Officials Clarify Misunderstood Death Totals Including Non-Related to Mishap
Unverified Reports Claim Over 1,000 Deaths in Makkah Hajj Stampede.
An African official from Nigeria told reporters over 1,000 possibly up to 1,075 bodies were seen in the mortuaries in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia about one hour from Makkah.
Some other claims have placed the death toll over 769, the number Saudi officials have established.
Iranians have also made higher claims as to death tolls, even releasing numbers of Iranian Hajjis to be higher than any other country (over 200).
However, officials in Riyadh (capitol of Saudi Arabia) referred to actual images from photographs taken of those who passed away during the whole hajj time, not only results from the tragic stampede.
According to Major General Mansour Al-Turki, some foreign nationals living in Saudi Arabi had participated in the Hajj rituals without required written permission were among the dead as well.
“1,075 bodies were brought to morgues” in Jeddah, says Mr. Yakubu, from ten vehicles. Another four vehicles had not yet been totaled. These totals do not reflect the accident that took place in Mina, rather from the total deaths of the millions of Hujjaj (plural of hajji) occupying the tent city of Mina during Hajj.
Muslim countries have been most appreciative of the efforts being made by the Saudis and request all Muslims to focus on the worship (ibadah) during these days, pray for the families of the deceased and leave the complaints and blame to Almighty Allah.
As Muslims say during any tragedy, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon” (“From Allah we came and to Allah is the return).
Only Iran and certain Shiite groups have been severely critical of Saudi officials handling of the matter, claiming to have lost over 200 pilgrims (hujjaj) in the incident. This appears to be more politically stimulated than religious, due to the tone and emotional emphasis on the public in Iran.
However, not all Iranians agree with these allegations. In fact, several have come out on Facebook telling their families and friends not to participate in the obvious hate mongering and go on with the living.
The crushing stampede occurred when two very large groups, possibly in the thousands, came at each other from right angels, while trying to throw the stones at “Jamarat” (pillars stationed along the path that Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him, followed while being temped by the devil.
Every year a number of the pilgrims are killed when careless others fail to follow orders of officials posted all along the way and ignore large signs posted in all major languages in the critical areas.
More than 930 were killed in 2000 for not following their “mutawafs” (trained staff for the pilgrimage).
“This was beyond human control”, said the Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Ash-Sheikh.
A full safety review and investigation into the entire matter has been ordered by King Salman of Saudi Arabia.
May Allah soften the hearts of families of survivors and bring peace to all concerned, for the sake of continued brotherly love and support, ameen.
COMMENTS are welcome - but will be reviewed before posting.
__________________________