The Mina disaster<\/p>\n
Although, as far as the Indonesian pilgrims are concerned, the
\ndisaster that occurred during the haj last Thursday at Mina was
\nmuch less serious than that of 1990, the calamity is nevertheless
\nmuch to be lamented -- especially because all the reports
\nreceived so far indicate that it could have been prevented.<\/p>\n
According to media reports, the disaster occurred as hundreds
\nof thousands of pilgrims, who were packed into an area near Mina,
\nstampeded during a stone-throwing ritual symbolizing the stoning
\nof Satan. One-hundred-and-eighteen pilgrims, including two from
\nIndonesia, died in the incident, while many more were injured.
\nSaudi Arabian health officials have warned that the death toll
\nfrom Thursday's incident might yet increase as more victims
\nsuccumb to their injuries in hospital.<\/p>\n
The accident is said to be the worst after that of 1990, when
\n1,426 pilgrims, including 631 from Indonesia, lost their lives.
\nSince 1990, three similar calamities have occurred at Mina.
\nObviously this easily gives rise to the question, why Mina?
\nKnowledgeable observers say that one factor could be that it is
\nnormal for pilgrims, especially the elderly, to be close to
\nexhaustion by the time they arrive for the stone-throwing ritual
\nat Mina, coming as it does near the end of the long pilgrimage.<\/p>\n
As far as safety precautions are concerned, it must be said
\nthat Saudi Arabian officials have over the years done all they
\ncan to make the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which is one of the
\nmajor religious duties prescribed for Moslem believers, as
\ncomfortable as is humanly possible under existing conditions. One
\nmust not forget that many, or possibly most of the pilgrims who
\nmake the pilgrimage to Mecca, are unaccustomed to the desert or
\nthe climate of the area. The additional fact that during the haj,
\nmillions of pilgrims from all over the world converge on this
\narea certainly does not improve things. This year alone, for
\nexample, more than 1.7 million believers are in the holy land.<\/p>\n
Under such conditions, perhaps one of the most effective
\nmeasures that could be taken is to try to further improve
\nprecautions at home, before the pilgrims depart for the holy
\nland. To a certain degree, to be sure, such precautions already
\nexist. For example, prospective pilgrims are required to undergo
\nhealth checks to make sure they can withstand, what are for most
\nIndonesians, the relatively rough conditions of Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
Although it is admittedly difficult to control the behavior of
\nmillions of pilgrims coming from different countries and
\ndifferent cultures, education and practical training to
\nfamiliarize prospective pilgrims with the kinds of situations
\nthey are likely to meet in the holy land is important as this can
\nhelp minimize the possibility of disasters. Naturally, more
\neffective measures on the part of the Saudi Arabian officials in
\nareas where this seems to be lacking would greatly help.<\/p>\n
It is to be hoped that last Thursday's Mina disaster will
\nprove to be the last. Given the importance and the magnitude of
\nthe annual haj pilgrimage for Moslems the world over, officials
\nin every country involved should give the Saudi authorities all
\nthe help they can to prevent needless calamities in the future.
\nAs for now, we can only offer our heartfelt condolences to the
\nbereaved families of those who have given their lives to fulfill
\nthis major obligation toward the Almighty as prescribed by their
\nfaith. Their sacrifice will not be in vain.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-mina-disaster-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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