Hajj control to reduce danger

– A stoning ritual which led to the deaths of about 2 300 people during last year’s hajj will be more tightly controlled during next month’s pilgrimage, Saudi newspapers reported yesterday.

The period during which pilgrims can perform the Jamarat ritual will be reduced by 12 hours, the Saudi Gazette and Arab News said. The symbolic stoning of the devil is performed at Mina, about five kilometres east of Mecca, Islam’s holiest site.

Hajj ministry undersecretary Hussain al-Sharif did not elaborate on how the new time restrictions would reduce the potential for overcrowding.

Last year’s stampede was the worst disaster in hajj history. It occurred outside the five-storey Jamarat Bridge, a structure resembling a huge parking garage which hosts the ritual.

At least 2 297 pilgrims died, according to data from foreign officials. – AFP