DEATH IN MECCA == At least 363 Muslim pilgrims died and 60 were left in critical condition after a stampede at the annual hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on January 12th. The pilgrims were squeezed in at the entrance to a holy site, four people per square yard, when about a dozen stumbled on baggage, tripping others behind them, said the Interior Ministry. The tragedy underlined the difficulty in managing one of the biggest religious events in the world, which this year drew more than 2.5 million. The weeklong pilgrimage is required once in a lifetime of every able-bodied Muslim. Muslims believe that anyone who dies during a pilgrimage is assured a place in heaven.
A 1990 stampede killed 1,426 people.
1998 a stampede at the pillar killed 118 people
A February 2004 stampede killed 244.
Now in January 2006, a stampede killed 363.
And a building collapse killed 76.
Another accident that marred this year's hajj was the Jan. 5 collapse
of a building being used as a pilgrims' hotel in Mecca, killing 76 people. [ABC NEWS 13 Jan.'06]
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An even greater number died in a previous year when the tent city at
Mina caught fire when a kerosene heater in of the tents tipped over
and started the fire. If anyone has stats on that incident, I would
appreciates having those as well.
Part of the problem at the stoning of the Jamarat is the high emotional pitch of the event at a very congested point plus flying rocks and obstacles in the pathway. Pilgrims are only allowed to wear sandals on the Hajj and these often fall off in the shuffle and are impossible to retrieve without the risk of being crushed by the crowd.
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From a Christian friend who also loves Muslims. If you can help with the stats & stats of previous deaths, please email ptap@srginc.org .
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EGYPT’S GARBAGE CITY CHRISTIANS == Christians in Egypt still suffer discrimination and persecution and many live in desperate poverty. The poorest of all are the thousands who are born, live and die on the rubbish heaps surrounding Cairo. Many even live in huts built out of rubbish, eking out a living by collecting and sorting refuse. The poorest ‘garbage city’ has almost 7,000 people living on four acres. 93% are Christians and over half live on a family income of under £20 (U.S.$34) monthly. The Christians are also distressed by attempts made to convert their children to Islam. “We own nothing,” said one, “but our Christ is more precious than everything.” At least 1,200 children in this dump cannot go to school. Barnabas Fund has committed to building a primary school. Two shifts will provide education for at least 800. [BARNABAS AID Jan/Feb‘06]
HCJB'S RADIO-PLANTING MINISTRY == The world's oldest missionary broadcast organization, HCJB World Radio, is helping local ministries worldwide reach listeners by using innovative technology like podcasting (audio programming distributed via the Web), satellite radio, digital local radio, and livestreaming. According to Curt Cole, vice president of international ministries, digital local radio is doing well in Europe and livestreaming is reaching a new audience. For example, streaming Spanish and Arabic programming 24 hours a day allows the ministry to reach a newer, younger audience that in some cases are in limited-access countries. "Radio planting has matured into what we now call radio planting and development," Cole said in a news release. "We see this ministry as much more than just helping with an antenna. In reality, we want to see long-term relationships develop where we partner with local groups around the world to make local radio available in an appropriate context. [CHRISTIAN POST, 12 Jan.'06]
ERITREAN POLICE ARREST LEADERS FROM 5 CHURCHES == At least 40 pastors, elders and leading laymen from 5 banned Protestant churches in the East African country of Eritrea were arrested in their homes or offices in late 2005 and early 2006. Starting early on the morning of Dec. 22, security police began tracking down leaders of the Church of the Living God along with clergymen and elders in the Full Gospel, Rema, Hallelujah and Philadelphia churches. One Church of the Living God pastor escaped shortly after his arrest, and police have arrested a member of his church board and one of his parishioners. Police also raided a music shop run by members of the Philadelphia Church, jailed all 15 people present and shut down the store. The music shop was the main source of Christian materials, music tapes and books for Protestant evangelicals in Asmara. 26 pastors and 1,700 evangelical church members are currently imprisoned in Eritrea; some have been tortured by government military forces, [AGAPE/COMPASS 4 Jan.'06]
