OBITUARY
TRAGEDY IN MAKAH AND MINA – SAUDI ARABIA
With deep grief and sorrow, we received the sad news of the death of at least 717 pilgrims and about 863 injured in crush at Mina during hajj in a stampede – the deadliest reported incident in 25 years in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj.
The deadly incident occurred on Thursday, September 24, 2015 on the day of Eid ul Adhaa few miles east of Makah, this was caused by two large groups of pilgrims arriving together at a crossroads on two streets, known as 204 and 223 on their way towards the Jamarat Bridge to perform one of the Hajj rituals of “stoning the devil” at Jamarat.
On 11 September 2015, a giant size crawler crane toppled over onto the Masjid al-Haram, the Grand Mosque in Makah. Sadly, 111 pilgrims who arrived in Makah for Hajj were killed and 394 injured.
The Hajj pilgrimage has suffered numerous disasters in the past, including fires and stampedes. The worst stampede, in 1990 which left 1,400 people dead and many injured.
At this moment, Africa Federation has not received any reliable information about the status of the pilgrims from our Jamaats from Africa, we hope and pray that they are all safe, Insha’allah.
It is reported that some two million pilgrims from 180 countries are performing the hajj this year.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to all those families who lost their near and dear ones in these two tragic incidences in Makah and Mina, we pray to Allah (swt) by His infinite grace and mercy to grant them maghferat and accept their Hajj Amaals- Ameen.
Please pray for all those who were injured for their full and quick recovery, and remember the Marhumeens of the two disastrous incidences and all Marhumeens who lost their lives in similar incidences in the past with Sura-e-Fateha.
Aunali Khalfan
Hon. Secretary