Remembering the 2006 Hajj Stampede on January 12 that left 345 pilgrims useless

The day was January 12, 2006. Tens of hundreds of Muslim pilgrims had equipped for the ultimate day of the Hajj Pilgrimage in Mina close to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

They had gathered on the Jamaraat Bridge to pelt stones at three giant stone partitions (additionally known as Jamaraat in Arabic), that are believed to be the embodiment of the ‘Devil.’ The ritual, dubbed the ‘Stoning of the Devil,’ is undertaken by the Hajj pilgrims annually to absolve themselves of all sins.

Given that it’s the final day of the pilgrimage, a number of Muslims carry their baggage to the occasion. On the fateful day of January 12, 2006, the scenario was no totally different.

Location of the Jamaraat Bridge in Mina close to Mecca, knowledge by way of OpenStreetMap contributors/ Wikimedia Maps

While the ritual could be undertaken between midday and pre-sunset, most pilgrims attempt to take part within the occasion instantly after midday prayer (to coincide with Prophet Muhammad’s final act of stoning the satan).

Overcrowding and poor crowd management stay the hallmark of the occasion. So when tens of hundreds of individuals gathered on the Jamarrat Bridge on January 12, 2006, it resulted in a stampede-like scenario.

During the incident, over 345 folks had been killed and a further 1000 folks had been injured after they tipped over their baggage luggage and created a pile-up.

Bodies of pilgrims eliminated in Mina on January 12, 2006, picture by way of Reuters

While chatting with The Guardian, an eyewitness named Suad Abu Hamada mentioned, “The bodies were piled up. I couldn’t count them – they were too many.” She recounted witnessing folks leaping on one another and screaming on the similar time.

Soon after, TV footage confirmed the useless our bodies of pilgrims on stretchers and lined with white sheets. According to a Saudi TV community, al-Ekhbariyah, a lot of the deceased had been from South Asia.

A small hospital, positioned close to the positioning of the accident, by the title of Mina General Hospital was overwhelmed with sufferers. As such, among the injured had been seen at hospitals in Riyadh and close by Mecca.

Bodies eliminated after 2006 Hajj stampede, picture by way of Ali Jarekji/ Reuters

Just a few days previous to the occasion, a further 76 Muslim pilgrims died after a constructing that was getting used as a makeshift hospital collapsed. The Jamaraat Bridge has been a infamous website for stampedes.

In 1990, about 1426 Muslim pilgrims had been killed in the same stampede whereas 244 pilgrims died in 2004. In 2015, about 717 Muslims had been killed through the annual pilgrimage to the Holy metropolis of Mecca.

According to Islamic Finder, the ‘Stoning of the Devil’ represents a symbolic replay of the encounter between Satan and Prophet Ibrahim (often known as Abraham).

“When he [Ibrahim] left Mina and was brought down to al-Aqaba, the Devil appeared to him at Stone-Heap of the Defile. Gabriel (Jibril) said to him: “Pelt him!” so Ibrahim threw seven stones at him in order that he disappeared from him. Then he appeared to him on the Middle Stone-Heap. Gabriel mentioned to him: “Pelt him!” so he pelted him with seven stones in order that he disappeared from him. Then he appeared to him on the Little Stone-Heap. Gabriel mentioned to him: “Pelt him!” so he pelted him with seven stones just like the little stones for throwing with a sling. So the Devil withdrew from him.”

Ibrahim’s sacrifice of his son, Ismail, was reportedly ordered by Allah. Satan made quite a few makes an attempt to cease Ibrahim from finishing up the commandment. The Angel Gabriel then gave him the order to hurl stones in opposition to Satan.