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Arabia
Stampede Breaks Out on Final Day of Hajj
2006-01-12
Muslim pilgrims rushing to complete a symbolic stoning ritual on the last day of the hajj tripped over luggage
the Keystone pilgrims?
Thursday, and an unknown number of people were killed in the ensuing stampede, the Interior Ministry said. The Al-Arabiya network said dozens died.

The stampede occurred as tens of thousands of pilgrims filed past al-Jamarat, a series of three pillars representing the devil that the faithful pelt with stones to purge themselves of sin. The ritual has seen deadly stampedes in the past, including one in 1990 that killed 1,426 people and another in February 2004 that killed 244.
movin', movin', movin', keep them doggies movin' RAWHIDE!
Posted by:Spot

#42  You'd think that with the Soddies attitude to drugs, that allowing Satan to get stoned each year, would not be a good idea.
Posted by: tipper   2006-01-12 23:48  

#41  These ignorant bastards do this every year. They are incapable of learning. We need to encourage a weekly Haj, then they can exterminate themselves.
Posted by: SOP35/Rat   2006-01-12 21:49  

#40  If they get that excited about the opening of a ritual stoning just imagine if I were to have one of my Spring White Linen Sales in Riyad...hmmm.
Posted by: Martha Stewart   2006-01-12 18:46  

#39  Clean-up in aisle nine please.
Posted by: Buzzsaw   2006-01-12 18:31  

#38  if you go on hajj with the intent of dying

The consistencey with which these stampedes tramplings occur would make it seem as though going to the hajj literally ensures death. Besides, if the curly-toed slippers don't get you the semtex vest will.
Posted by: Zenster   2006-01-12 16:33  

#37  #27 Question, if you die in Islam's holiest place does that give you a special chance to get into Heavan? Posted by rjschwarz 2006-01-12 14:42

basically the answer is 'yes' - one who dies during hajj is a martyr but if you go on hajj with the intent of dying or if you commit a severe sin during the hajj then no martyr status for you
Posted by: mhw   2006-01-12 16:10  

#36  Yeah, the last guy to declare a fatwa on sapient pearwood vanished mysteriously.
Posted by: Phil   2006-01-12 15:59  

#35  Time for a fatwa on Samsonite.
Posted by: Seafarious   2006-01-12 15:52  

#34  I think we have our own pilgrimage of stupidity.

At least we can blame it on the beer. The poor bastards don't even have that.
Posted by: BH   2006-01-12 15:17  

#33  I know, .com, just agreeing with you.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2006-01-12 15:15  

#32  DB - Um, that's what I said, lol.
Posted by: .com   2006-01-12 15:06  

#31  .com for all I know it might but I have my doubts. I do believe this "Holy Shrine" rubbish is just a way for the "Holy men What Am In Charge" bunch to make a shitpot of money off the Pious Faithfull. Nothing more, nothing less.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2006-01-12 14:59  

#30  Well, um, mebbe if they brought their luggage to the Square with them, they'd, uh, um, nevermind...
Posted by: .com   2006-01-12 14:50  

#29  Yet how many New Year's revelers have been killed in stampedes?
Posted by: Fred   2006-01-12 14:49  

#28  I think we have our own pilgrimage of stupidity. Its called New Year's Eve in Time Square. A bunch of faithful (drunks) [or is it faithful drunks?] stand around in the cold and watch a ball fall and cheer.
Bars have TVs ( to view the falling ball) and its warmer inside. And closer to the refills.....
Posted by: USN, ret.   2006-01-12 14:43  

#27  Question, if you die in Islam's holiest place does that give you a special chance to get into Heavan?
Posted by: rjschwarz   2006-01-12 14:42  

#26  The funny thing is we all were joking about this last week because we knew it was a certainty. I believe somebody set the Over/Under line at 1000. I'm betting the over.
Posted by: Intrinsicpilot   2006-01-12 14:23  

#25  DB - You mean throwing pebbles doesn't wash away sin / kill the Devil / whatever the fuck it's claimed to do?

*slaps forehead*

Sheesh! Why, that makes this whole pilgrimmage thing nothing more than the scheme of a failed merchant who now controlled Mekkah and would reap a fortune if he could get enough rubes to do it! Go figure, huh?
Posted by: .com   2006-01-12 14:18  

#24  Symbolism is all well and good most times (see Carl Jung: Man and His Symbols) but when a people can't tell the difference between symbolism and reality is when the shit usually hits the fan. Seems to me most of that stuff is just for show, anyway.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2006-01-12 14:13  

#23  And now I can't connect to the satellite.
Posted by: Phil   2006-01-12 14:01  

#22  It just moved out of frame. Something must be wrong with the satellite, I didn't see anyone push it or anything...
Posted by: Phil   2006-01-12 13:25  

#21  How many feet on the luggage? And was a scrawny fellow with a pointed hat labeled "WIZZARD" seen nearby?

Google Earth is your friend. I'm looking at the luggage right now via the satellite. Zooming in... It doesn't seem to have any feet... but it's staring at me.
Posted by: Phil   2006-01-12 13:09  

#20  You realize, of course, that this would not have happened, had they been Unitarians...

Allen Tallen knows best.
Posted by: Fred   2006-01-12 12:58  

#19  Muslim pilgrims rushing to complete a symbolic stoning ritual on the last day of the hajj tripped over luggage

Luggage, why does it hate us?

(Hey, someone had to.)
Posted by: Zenster   2006-01-12 12:36  

#18  it's the stupid sheets...can you imagine trying to run in a burqa or thobe...how about high-jumping luggage a la OJ Simpson in the old Hertz airport terminal commercials :-0)
Posted by: Frank G   2006-01-12 12:14  

#17  So do they have to sort the pile out before the holy men decide if this is "punishment of the wicked" or "martyrdom of the faithful"?
My bet. Both.
Posted by: tu3031   2006-01-12 11:49  

#16  sheesh , i bet they are running out of virgins .

as it stands , looking at 4.79 males to 1 virgin .. (72 ladies in total) How do they remain virginal with those odds ? !
Posted by: MacNails   2006-01-12 11:36  

#15  Betting money says death toll will hit 600 by noon. Any takers?
Posted by: The Angry Fliegerabwehrkanonen   2006-01-12 11:32  

#14  I agree with the Deacon: although this is an annual event peculiar to Islam (and as predictable as spring following winter), I remember several deadly stampedes when the Pope visited Africa, not to mention those at some of the monstrously large Hindu festivals.

What's important is what's in a person's heart, not some place or particular thing.

Right. That really hit home when I visited Jerusalem (I'm Christian) and found the crowds to be oppressive, demeaning, and just a bit frightening.
Posted by: Xbalanke   2006-01-12 11:24  

#13  sorry guys my lower deathtoll was off fox news on cable. I'm impressed if the 345 number is accurate. that's healthy growth!
Posted by: anon1   2006-01-12 11:23  

#12  Well, all I can say is I hope it was worth it. Bunch of nutters the lot of 'em.
Posted by: Unotle Janter5843   2006-01-12 11:22  

#11  death toll about 80 at this stage

there's a stampede every year at the stoning of the great shaitan.

what a climactic end.

we were hoping for 300 though so 80 is a disappointment. down on last year's tally: 200.

Posted by: anon1   2006-01-12 11:20  

#10  No, what's important is the profitable pillar of Islam that forces millions of the faithful to spread billions of dollars worth of baksheesh across the Arabian Peninsula every year. And if a few get squished each year, that pleases Allan and makes the whole thing more mystiqy...
Posted by: Seafarious   2006-01-12 11:16  

#9  Now up to 345. This is why my feelings on "Holy Sites" and all the other trappings of a lot of religions are rubbish. What's important is what's in a person's heart, not some place or particular thing.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2006-01-12 11:03  

#8  This happens in cultures where people have not a thought for others. It's just ME, ME, ME, I'm the most important person on Earth. China's like that, too, people think nothing of pushing and shoving. Although, I don't think they have stampedes like this.
Posted by: gromky   2006-01-12 10:26  

#7  Allah gets his blood sacrifice, as befits a Dark Lord.
Posted by: BH   2006-01-12 10:17  

#6  How many feet on the luggage? And was a scrawny fellow with a pointed hat labeled "WIZZARD" seen nearby?
Posted by: Robert Crawford   2006-01-12 09:50  

#5  newer reports ups fatality count to over 100
Posted by: mhw   2006-01-12 09:39  

#4  luggage

YJCMTSU.
Posted by: .com   2006-01-12 09:17  

#3  "This despite the deployment of the largest hajj security force ever."

Memo to the I.O.C.:

Makes any future Soddy Olympics highly unlikely.
Posted by: The Angry Fliegerabwehrkanonen   2006-01-12 08:41  

#2  various reports give the fatality count at over 50

This despite the deployment of the largest hajj security force ever.
Posted by: mhw   2006-01-12 08:34  

#1  Muslim pilgrims rushing to complete a symbolic stoning ritual on the last day of the hajj tripped over luggage

I'm sorry mam, we'll have to check that bag. You must take your seat immediately, we are ready for taxi bus.
Posted by: Creck Ulagum6581   2006-01-12 08:25  

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