Malaysian Govt Offers Condolences To Families Of Stampede Victims In Mina

From Mokhtar Hussein NEW YORK, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Government has conveyed its condolences to the families of hundreds of pilgrims killed in the stampede during the 'Stoning of the Devil' ritual in Mina, Saudi Arabia Thursday. Prime Minister Najib Razak (right) has also offered prayers to the souls of those killed. "May their souls be placed alongside the martyrs," he told Malaysian journalists after performing the Aidiladha prayers at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York in Uptown New York here Thursday. Also present were Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, Malaysian Ambassador to the United States, Dr Awang Adek Hussin and Malaysia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ramlan Ibrahim. He also urged Malaysian pilgrims to follow regulations issued by Tabung Haji (Pilgrims Fund Board) during the pilgrimage. The latest death toll in the stampede which occurred at 11am local time has risen to 717, while 863 were injured, according to the General Directorate of Civil Defence of Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Anifah also expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the stampede. "As of now, no Malaysian was involved," he said during a media briefing here. During the visit, Najib also handed over contributions to Abdul Razzaq E. Al Amiri (left) to be given to the Islamic centre. The prime minister arrived in New York with wife, Rosmah Mansor on Wednesday (Thursday in Malaysia) for a working visit to attend the 70th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. He is scheduled to attend several high-level UN meetings prior to his speech during the General Assembly at the UN headquarters here on Oct 1. Malaysia is currently playing an important role in the world body as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Najib will also join other world leaders in the UN Peacekeeping Summit chaired by US President Barack Obama on Sept 28. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA