Freak Death: What killed six people in Mecca Hajj pilgrimage

Freak Death: What killed six people in Mecca Hajj pilgrimage

Six people have died during the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The news of the tragedies reached friends and families as other Muslim faithfuls climbed the peak of Mount Arafat.

The death occurred on the mountain, according to the niece of one of the deceased, who spoke to CNN.

Preparation on transfer of corpses will be done by Saudi authorities, while those that want their loved ones buried in the holy land can make the choice.

In event of deaths in Mecca during pilgrimage, staunch Muslims barely grief, they rather thank Allah for taking its soul in His presence. Such staunch belief is rampant among African Muslims.

Almost two million people are involved in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, the statistic was issued by Saudi General Authority.

The six people died of heatstroke, a situation caused by excess heat. The deceased are all from Jordan.

Saudi officials had warned that temperatures during the annual gathering could reach 48 degrees Celsius this year. It further urged Pilgrims to use umbrellas and practice other means to mitigate heat.

Warnings about excess heat could not deter millions around the globe. Hajj is one of the biggest religious gatherings in the world and the largest annual event in Saudi Arabia.

It occurs two months and 10 days after Ramadan ends, during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah. Muslims plan throughout the year for the event that defines the faith.

In Africa, attending Hajj is seen as a prize, it also means one is wealthy. The bragging right is often placed above the spiritual influence.

Despite the commitment of Saudi Arabia’s government to avoid tragedies due to extreme heat, deaths were recorded.

Sufficient information was passed to pilgrims, and the global boards through Saudi ministry of health, to inform Muslim faithfuls attending this year’s Hajj to stay dehydrated and use umbrellas

In keeping with the effort to avoid tragedies, Saudi army also deployed more than 1,600 personnel with medical units specifically for heatstroke and 30 rapid response teams. Another 5,000 health and first aid volunteers are taking part

Jordan denied that those that died are officially listed by the Jordanian pilgrim authority, saying that 4,000 officially listed are alive.

Countries licence their citizens each year to attend Hajj. Those licenced are under the bill of the State. But doesn’t mean citizens cannot go without State licence. Those who have money for the Hajj are free to sponsor themselves.

Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam, and every Muslim who can afford it is demanded to attend. While the religion placed exceptions to it, most poor people sell off their properties to make it.

Journey to the holy city of Mecca is what every Muslim dream off, even if it comes once in a life time.

The pilgrimage includes numerous detailed rituals including wearing a special garment that symbolizes human equality and unity before God, a circular, counter-clockwise procession around the Kaaba, and the symbolic stoning of evil.

The concept attracts automatic title called al-Hajj, which entails you have attended Hajj once in a lifetime.

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