Archived material Access restricted Article
Rantburg

Today's Front Page   View All of Thu 01/12/2006 View Wed 01/11/2006 View Tue 01/10/2006 View Mon 01/09/2006 View Sun 01/08/2006 View Sat 01/07/2006 View Fri 01/06/2006
1
2006-01-12 Arabia
Stampede Breaks Out on Final Day of Hajj
Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.
Posted by Spot 2006-01-12 08:14|| || Front Page|| [11131 views since 2007-05-07]  Top

#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||   2006-01-12 08:25|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 08:34|| Front Page Top

#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|| http://www.calderonswirbelwind.blogspot.com]">[http://www.calderonswirbelwind.blogspot.com]  2006-01-12 08:41|| Front Page Top

#4 luggage

YJCMTSU.
Posted by .com 2006-01-12 09:17||   2006-01-12 09:17|| Front Page Top

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

#6 How many feet on the luggage? And was a scrawny fellow with a pointed hat labeled "WIZZARD" seen nearby?
Posted by Robert Crawford">Robert Crawford  2006-01-12 09:50|| http://www.kloognome.com/]">[http://www.kloognome.com/]  2006-01-12 09:50|| Front Page Top

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

#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">gromky  2006-01-12 10:26|| http://communistposters.com/]">[http://communistposters.com/]  2006-01-12 10:26|| Front Page Top

#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">Deacon Blues  2006-01-12 11:03||   2006-01-12 11:03|| Front Page Top

#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">Seafarious  2006-01-12 11:16||   2006-01-12 11:16|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 11:20|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 11:22|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 11:23|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 11:24|| Front Page Top

#15 Betting money says death toll will hit 600 by noon. Any takers?
Posted by The Angry Fliegerabwehrkanonen 2006-01-12 11:32|| http://www.calderonswirbelwind.blogspot.com]">[http://www.calderonswirbelwind.blogspot.com]  2006-01-12 11:32|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 11:36|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 11:49|| Front Page Top

#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">Frank G  2006-01-12 12:14||   2006-01-12 12:14|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 12:36|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 12:58|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 13:09|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 13:25|| Front Page Top

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

#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">Deacon Blues  2006-01-12 14:13||   2006-01-12 14:13|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 14:18|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 14:23|| Front Page Top

#27 Question, if you die in Islam's holiest place does that give you a special chance to get into Heavan?
Posted by rjschwarz">rjschwarz  2006-01-12 14:42|| rjschwarz.com]">[rjschwarz.com]  2006-01-12 14:42|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 14:43|| Front Page Top

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

#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||   2006-01-12 14:50|| Front Page Top

#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">Deacon Blues  2006-01-12 14:59||   2006-01-12 14:59|| Front Page Top

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

#33 I know, .com, just agreeing with you.
Posted by Deacon Blues">Deacon Blues  2006-01-12 15:15||   2006-01-12 15:15|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 15:17|| Front Page Top

#35 Time for a fatwa on Samsonite.
Posted by Seafarious">Seafarious  2006-01-12 15:52||   2006-01-12 15:52|| Front Page Top

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

#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||   2006-01-12 16:10|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 16:33|| Front Page Top

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

#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||   2006-01-12 18:46|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 21:49|| Front Page Top

#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||   2006-01-12 23:48|| Front Page Top

16:47 BirdDog
16:28 BirdDog
14:59 BirdDog
14:55 BirdDog
16:10 BirdDog
12:07 BirdDog
11:22 BirdDog
08:01 ARMYGUY
00:00 2b
23:49 2b
23:48 tipper
23:18 Old Patriot
23:07 Hank
22:38 ed
22:32 Phil
22:16 Spinese Clealet3760
22:13 Ebbeagum Cleque4324
22:10 Nimble Spemble
22:10 Jake
22:09 gromgoru
22:07 doc
22:07 Jake
22:06 gromgoru
22:06 trailing wife









Paypal:
Google
Search WWW Search rantburg.com