What can be done to limit 'disasters' during 'hajj'

yinka ogunlami

September 28, 2015 3:36 PM

With the death toll of the hajj stampede victims currently over 700, what do you think can be done to prevent future occurrences during hajj?

Victims of the 2015 hajj stampede

With the death toll of the hajj stampede victims currently over 700, what do you think can be done to prevent future occurrences during hajj?

The stoning of the devil ritual which reportedly caused the stampede is one of the most important activity during hajj.

The ritual re-enacts Ibrāhīm's pilgrimage to Mecca.

Read: Pope Francis offers prayer to the Muslim community

Reports say that about 56 Nigerians died and 61 injured following the stampede.

"When he Ibrahim left Mina and was brought down to (the defile called) al-Aqaba, the Devil appeared to him at Stone-Heap of the Defile.

Gabriel () said to him: "Pelt him!" so Abraham threw seven stones at him so that he disappeared from him. Then he appeared to him at the Middle Stone-Heap.

Read: A timeline of disasters at annual Muslim pilgrimage since 1975

Gabriel said to him: "Pelt him!" so he pelted him with seven stones so that he disappeared from him.

Then he appeared to him at the Little Stone-Heap. Gabriel said to him: "Pelt him!" so he pelted him with seven stones like the little stones for throwing with a sling.

So the Devil withdrew from him."

Among Nigerians that have lost their lives are Northern Nigeria’s first female editor, Bilkisu Yusuf, the Chairman of the Borno State Pilgrims Board, Professor Tijjani El-Miskin and a member of the Nigerian medical team, Dr Hafsat Shittu,

yinka ogunlami