SEVEN Zimbabwean Muslims, who are in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the Islamic annual pilgrimage yesterday said they had all escaped unhurt following a stampede that claimed more than 800 lives and injured hundreds in Mina on Thursday.
BY SIMON PHIRI
The stampede, believed to be the deadliest tragedy to strike the annual Hajj pilgrimage in more than two decades, reportedly killed several Africans from Nigeria and Senegal, among other countries.
Speaking to our sister paper from Mecca, the Zimbabwean Muslim community’s head of delegation Khalid Ammir said all the seven pilgrims were safe.
“Alhamudulillahi (All praises to the Almighty) none from our delegation was hurt. We are seven Zimbabweans and we expect to be back in the country next week, we are not sure of the exact date,” Ammir said.
He identified the other pilgrims as Sheikh Shaib, Maulana Adam Mnandi, Sheikh Suleiman Bwelekani, Sladge Milanzi, Hussein Pitamuja and Ronald Mugayi.
“Things are now back to normal. Authorities this side are taking extra measures for human (pilgrims’) safety. The good thing for now is that we are safe.”
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This was the second major disaster during this year’s Hajj season, raising questions about the adequacy of measures put in place by Saudi authorities to ensure the safety of the roughly two million Muslims taking part.
A crane collapse in Mecca nearly two weeks ago leaving more than 100 people dead.
Mina is where pilgrims carry out the symbolic stoning of the devil by throwing pebbles against three stone columns.
It also houses more than 160 000 tents where pilgrims spend the night during the pilgrimage.
