Majyd
Aziz
The writer wrote this narrative
on the day of the Mina Stampede, recalling his own experience. The figures of
victims are of that fateful day. Moreover, blame game had still not created a
storm.
Haj 2015 confronted two tragedies. September 11 was the day when a huge
crane belonging to the Bin Laden Group involved in the expansion of the Masjid
Al Haram fell due to a severe windstorm. Some 117 pilgrims inside the Grand
Mosque died while scores were injured. Then, September 24, the day after Haj,
over 720 pilgrims died while in excess of 800 were injured, many critically,
during a stampede in Mina where pilgrims perform the ritual of stoning Shaitaan (Devil). Initial reports
focused on the area where predominantly the Algerians were based. The figures
given are at 6 pm, Pakistan time. The exact casualties may increase by the time
all are counted and reported.
This
day, being the first day of Eid holidays in Pakistan, I was hooked to the
television, watching channels keeping me abreast of the latest figures and
showing the visuals. This
tragedy brought back memories of 1994 when I accompanied my mother, spouse, and
eldest daughter for my second Haj. Our group was fortunate to have our hotel
just a block away from the Jamarat, where the three Shaitaan were located. On the first day, we had managed to reach
Mina quite early from Muzdalifah after performing the religious requirements at
Arafat. There was no rush at Jamarat and we performed Rami (stoning of Shaitaan)
at ease.
I was not comfortable with the bathroom facilities at our hotel, and
thus, decided that after the Fajr prayers,
I would hire a taxi and leave for Makkah, sleep a couple of hours, shower and
hire a taxi for my return to Mina before the Zuhr prayers. On the third day, when I returned to Mina, there was
a tremendous rush of people leaving for Makkah after performing the Rami. The cab driver informed me that it
was not possible to reach my hotel by taxi and all I had to do was traverse the
bridge at Jamarat and walk to my hotel.
I was casually walking on the bridge when I saw a huge crowd running
and coming towards where I was walking. I quickly crossed over to the perimeter
of the bridge and what I saw was frightening. It was a real charged crowd,
shouting, shoving, and going wild. I froze, and for a few moments did not know
what to do. After a few deep breaths, I weighed up my options. The first
thought that entered my mind was to run towards the crowd and find a gap. That
was easier said than done. The other alternative was to run along with them but
that was also a difficult choice. The third option was to attempt to go further
down on the bridge and gather strength to jump from the bridge and land on an
ice-cream truck maybe 20 or 25 feet below. Dangerous, because I was no stunt
actor and the fall could injure me or I may lose balance and fall from the
truck onto the road.
I looked down from the bridge and saw 35-40 pilgrims lying on the road.
Firefighters, police and other pilgrims around them. I had no idea that they
were dead and instead thought that they had fainted due to the unbearable heat.
There wasn't a moment to lose. I had to make an instant decision. Jump from the
bridge. No choice. Miraculously, I saw enough space for me to edge sideways
with my back to the perimeter wall. I moved on. The roar of the crowd and the
speed of their rush were horrific. I was continuously reciting the Darood (an
invocation that Muslims make by saying specific phrases to compliment the Holy
Prophet Muhammad [PBUH]). Images
of my mother, spouse and daughter worrying about me were on my mind.
With full
faith in Almighty Allah, I picked up speed and, keeping the sideways posture, I
commenced my walk. The stampede just would not end. Suddenly,
I saw a gap between others and me. I ran as fast as I could. In a few minutes,
the unruly crowd had passed by me. I did not stop and kept on running till I
reached the stairs and came down on the road. I glanced around and saw the
bodies lying on the ground. I saw my hotel and dashed towards it. I entered the
building and did not stop till I reached the room where my family was waiting
for me. They were relieved to see me and I narrated what had happened.
The stampede scenario occurs every now and then during Haj at Mina. I
would not blame the Saudi government because the authorities take steps to
avoid any mishaps and tragedies. Today, the facilities are admirable and strategies
are in place to deal with emergencies. The real issue is that the over two
million pilgrims of different nationalities, sects, and attitude are not
properly oriented in behavior, in customs, in etiquette, and in dealing with
emergencies. It seems, ironically, that civility and consideration is missing
most of the time among the pilgrims.
The first reports on the Mina stampede 2015 disclose that some aged and
infirm pilgrims fainted due to the excessive 44 degrees heat and people
trampled over them. This triggered a rush and developed into a stampede. Rapid
rescue efforts by over 4000 emergency workers and civil defence personnel and
220 ambulances controlled the situation. Meanwhile, other pilgrims went ahead
to perform Rami and other prescribed
prayers. Haj 2015 will always be remembered for the two tragedies. Come Haj
2016, another two million will be the fortunate ones arriving in Saudi Arabia
to perform the fundamental obligations of being true Muslims. For sure, the facilities
would improve and be more safe and tragedy-free. Hopefully, the pilgrims would
have learnt lessons from the tragedies too. I did.
