HAJ 2 LAST

The stoning was orderly during the night and early Friday
morning. Saudi authorities hoped enlarged pillars and a
newly-built five storey pilgrim walkway would avert the
deadly stampedes of previous years caused by crush of the
faithful as they jammed into the area for the ritual.

The stoning ritual is followed by the sacrifice of
livestock, also rooted in the Koranic account. As Abraham
fended off the devil and moved toward fulfilling the command
to sacrifice his son Ismail in the name of Allah, an angel of
God, Gebrael intervened and revoked the command, supplying
Abraham instead with a ram to sacrifice.
Stampedes of panicked pilgrims at the stoning ritual
area were frequent in past Haj pilgrimages. In 2006, 346 were
crushed to death at the site while performing the ritual.
The design of the new bridge stipulates all the pilgrims
to move in one direction and offering numerous exits, aim to
prevent a recurrence of deadly stampede.
After throwing the pebbles, many pilgrims were also
taking advantage of dozens of barbers around Mina to shave
their heads as part of their purification.
Muslims around the world ritually kill goats, sheep and
cattle on this day to commemorate Abraham's obedience to God
and Ismael's reprieve.
An estimated 2.5 million Muslims from all over the world
were in the holy city of Mecca this week for the Haj as they
braved swine flu threat which has killed four and a heavy
downpour on Tuesday that caused mass flooding killing 77. PTI
SAZ
SKT


The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive
use of the addressee(s) and may contain proprietary, confidential or privileged
information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please
notify the sender immediately and destroy
all copies of this message and any attachments contained in it.