This year again as for the past 6 years or so hujjaj have died in massive numbers while performing the ritual at Minaa. From what the state television is telling us here in Pakistan the number of dead is as high as 345 souls. Most of them are reported to be from south east Asia. Every year a variable but significantly large number of hujjaj die while performing the hajj. It is undoubtedly the largest gathering of souls on the planet earth. This time around as many as 25 million Muslims from all over the world performed the hajj. This is a large number and the figure of the dead can easily be taken for a small negligible percentage which is bound to occur in any such event with so many people from different social setups and languages gather and are bound by very tight schedules. But this certainly can't be allowed in a religion that is based on harmony, peace, value for human life and most of all discipline.
Most certainly the Saudi authorities are taking every possible caution to prevent such tragedy. But this is a huge undertaking and mostly beyond human control so all the blame can't be placed on them fare and square. One can only suggest ways to over come this hurdle. Number of scenarios can be explored to reduce the number of people who die each year in such like tragedies. We must look at the number of people who perform the hajj more than once. If this number is significantly large then we could maybe control this number so that problems can be avoided. Similarly the hajj at early age should be encouraged by all the authorities worldwide. Then we can also look into possible extensions of the time period designated for various rituals of the hajj. That will go a long way in easing the hurry that grips everyone there. Afterall Islam is a flexible religion and there are no compulsions in it.
Most certainly the Saudi authorities are taking every possible caution to prevent such tragedy. But this is a huge undertaking and mostly beyond human control so all the blame can't be placed on them fare and square. One can only suggest ways to over come this hurdle. Number of scenarios can be explored to reduce the number of people who die each year in such like tragedies. We must look at the number of people who perform the hajj more than once. If this number is significantly large then we could maybe control this number so that problems can be avoided. Similarly the hajj at early age should be encouraged by all the authorities worldwide. Then we can also look into possible extensions of the time period designated for various rituals of the hajj. That will go a long way in easing the hurry that grips everyone there. Afterall Islam is a flexible religion and there are no compulsions in it.
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