It's The Same Every Year

Each Haj season awaits somekind of death news, regardless of the scale of tragedy. You're here in Singapore and all you can do is read the papers or see the news and react in your most personal capacity.

More than 345 people, were dead Thursday in a stampede during Haj on the last day of the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual in Mecca. The casualties are said to be mainly Egyptian and Indonesian pilgrims.

Reports are saying the pilgrims tripped over luggage.

Some are blaming the pilgrims for not following the schedules fixed by the Saudi authorities. In some papers the word "ill-disciplined" was used to describe pilgrims who disobey certain rules and procedures instituted to ensure safe pilgrimage for all. I just think these people are deeply passionate in the Holy land. Who isn't?

Apparently many of these pilgrims insisted on doing the stoning rite in the afternoon despite previous fatwa [religious ruling] that said timing shall not be a factor. Still people went ahead. Why?

May He bless and grant them peace. Amin.