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Stampede at Meena

22 January 2006, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
By M.H. Bari, West Dhanmondi, Dhaka
22 January 2006, 18:00 PM
It has been reported that at least 363 pilgrims died at Meena due to stampede when they were throwing stone on the effigy of Satan/ Iblis as a compulsory ritual of hajj. This is the second incident of this year. Earlier 76 pilgrims died due to collapse of a residential hotel building at Mecca. This has become a normal phenomenon that some pilgrims would die every year under most unfortunate circumstances. This is very sad and disgusting. Statistics revealed that 1426 pilgrims died in 1990 during crossing of a tunnel, 218 died at Meena in 1998, 35 died in 2001, 14 died in 2003 and 25 died in 2004.

Millions of pilgrims from different Muslim countries of the world are visiting KSA every year to perform the holy hajj and their number will increase in the years to come. The tragic death of pilgrims mostly occurred at Meena during throwing of stones and the effigy of Satan is situated at a small valley of Meena and its entrance route is very narrow which creates congestion during hajj Besides, some pilgrims carry their luggage on their shoulders and their luggage fall on the ground when they kneel down. It does create an additional jam.

The following steps may be taken for avoiding such tragedy in future:

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1. The Saudi government's hajj management should be reorganised. They should ensure the total security of the pilgrims.

2. Discipline the pilgrims so that the order is never broken.

3. Some orientation course for the pilgrims is necessary before hajj and that should be organised by their countries.

4. Replacing of the Satan's effigy at a suitable place should be considered.

5. In course of time this congregation may turn unmanageable due to increasing number of pilgrims. So, our Islamic scholars should work out how it can be organised.

We hope that the Saudi government will come forward to revamp their hajj administration considering the above points.