The Mecca stampede which claimed the lives of over 700 Muslims would have been avoided if the organisers of Hajj did their logistical homework well.
The disaster, which the Saudi government would like others to believe was caused by indisciplined pilgrims, is unfortunate. Worse, it is rather racist for the Central Hajj Committee head, Khaled al-Faisal, to blame the disaster on “pilgrims from Africa”..
Saudi Arabia should note that by failing to secure the annual religious event, it reduces its own cultural tourism. These visitors not only come for spiritual nourishment but also physical and emotional opportunities.
The Hajj festival is a key pillar of Islam given they are urged to at least visit the sacred city once in a lifetime. One should not die when exercising their lifetime chance.
The country should also learn from the tragedy given that it also witnessed other grisly occurrences in the past with 1990 being the worst when the pilgrimage claimed over 1400 Muslims. In 2006, over 350 pilgrims lost their lives.
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Emergency services must be stepped up.