Catholic Church prays for the hajj victims

Rev. Fr Joshua Haman, Parish Priest of the Saint Mary,s catholic church, Damaturu, Yobe state offered prayers for the victims of the Hajj stampede in Saudi Arabia that claimed over 700 lives with 1,180 injured on October 23, 2015.

During the Sunday mass, he stated that the incident required prayers because the worshippers died while they were performing one of their sacred religious rites.

“God Almighty knows the best. The death toll continues to rise; considering the extent of the pandemonium; but the Almighty God knows best and who are we to question His Will?” he said.

Read: Pope Francis offers prayer to the Muslim community

Meanwhile, Pope Francis also expressed his sympathy for the stampede during the evening prayer at the St Patrick Cathedral in New York.

"I would like to express two sentiments for my Muslim brothers and sisters," he said.

"My sentiments of closeness in the face of tragedy. Tragedy that they suffered in Mecca," Francis said.

More than 700 people were crushed and trampled to death today in a stampede on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia during  the annual pilgrimage.

"In this moment I give assurances of my prayers. I unite myself with you all. A prayer to all mighty God all merciful," Francis said.

Over 70 Nigerians were reported to have died in the stampede.