Muslim pilgrims throw pebbles during the ritual “stoning of the devil” as part of the Hajj.
The death toll from the stampede exceeded 700.
Posted on 09/26/2015 6:58:35 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
More than 700 people were crushed to death Thursday in a stampede just outside Mecca during the Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia that has been attended by millions of faithful over the centuries.
The incident in Mina, Saudi Arabia, was the latest in a series of tragedies that have marred the ritual journey to Islam’s holiest city, a journey that occasionally has turned deadly—typically because of the vast numbers of people who crowd into Mecca and nearby cities.
This year, believers were trampled to death during the last major ritual that pilgrims perform before entering Mecca, a city of more than 1.3 million people that is the birthplace of the prophet Muhammad. The tragedy occurred during the ceremonial Ramy al-Jamarat, or “stoning of the devil,” in which pilgrims toss rocks at three walls. Reports from Mina said it was unclear why the crowd there Thursday surged, causing the stampede.
Besides those killed, more than 800 were reported injured. It was the deadliest day for the Hajj since more than 1,400 pilgrims suffocated in a crowded tunnel near Mecca in 1990, also on the day of the stoning of the devil ritual.
In 2006, 340 people were killed and hundreds were injured after a stampede during the Ramy al-Jamarat ritual. Hundreds more have been killed during that rite over the years, with incidents occurring in 2004, 2003, 2001, 1994, and other years.
The core of this year’s Hajj began Tuesday and runs through Saturday, although many pilgrims extend the length of their pilgrimage and their visit to Mecca. The dates for the pilgrimage are set by the Islamic calendar, which follows lunar cycles.
The recent stampedes in Mina reflect how the Hajj has put increasing stress on Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.nationalgeographic.com ...
Why don't they allow pilgrimages say, 300 days a year? That way, you can have less crowds.
It is amazing the superstitions people will believe.
Do they all get naked in order to stone the Devil?
Again, I do not see any problem. Perhaps I need to reread; I may have skipped something.
praying for 250 million more of these muslim stampedes.
Air conditioners? Someone call the Pope!
godless idiots.
Target rich environment.
imagine the smell of a 50 hectare adult diaper full of digested islamic cuisine.
Islam’s moon god was quite pleased at this year’s harvest.
it’s not superstition to worship a prophet who rapes 10 year old girls.
Ok...which tent were we in, Achmed?
And a couple of comets from outer space would compete the destruction...
Herding the sheep for shearing.
Muslims worship Allah (a singular entity) at a black rock that fell from Heaven. They stone the devil represented by 3 Pillars (Trinity). They worship Satan and stone God.
Actually they are Evaporative Coolers. This type unit is very common in the Southwest USA.
They have been stoning the devil since this nonsense began. Is it not about time the devil was killed from all those rocks thrown? This is a worthless religion, based on an epileptic thief, murderer, child rapist, and phony “prophet.” There is not one prophecy in the Koran, not one, so how can this guy be a prophet? Sorry to ask an obvious question.
You know how some people leave a brightly colored tennis ball on their car antennae so they can find it easily?
HTF would you find your tent in that place?!?!
Seriously, I have never seen that before. Thanks for sharing.
These people are nuts. But, I’m not too crazy about those Mega Churches, either. This just gives me the willies...
...How about building more of these elsewhere in that vast country to accommodate Muslim refugees?...
Simple. Arab countries want no part of them and the terrorists accompanying them. Who would know more about muslims than the muslim countries refusing them? They are smarter than Zer0.
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