Sunday, December 31, 2006 at 12:12am
Hajjis perform stone-throwing rite
More than 2.5 million Muslim pilgrims on Sunday tossed stones at a pillar symbolizing the devil amid tight security to prevent stampedes and protests following Saturday's execution of Saddam Hussein. Saudi officials said Saturday that 2.4 million pilgrims performed Hajj, but with hundreds of thousands of locals sneaking into Mecca without official permits, the total number could be closer to a record 3 million.
The 5-day Hajj, which had been marred by deadly stampedes in the past, was overshadowed by the hanging of the deposed Iraqi leader, a hero to some Sunnis Muslims due to his anti-U.S. stance but hated by many Shi'ites, Reuters news agency reported Sunday.
"The number one Satan is America," said Iraqi pilgrim Suleiman Awadallah, a self-styled "resistance fighter," after performing the stoning ritual. "The prayers of all Muslims when they cast their stones at the devil must be directed at (U.S. President George) Bush and his devilish allies in America and the Arab world."
Other Iraqi pilgrims greeted the news with jubilation, and saw it as particularly appropriate on Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice that began on Saturday. Saudi authorities, however, attacked Iraq for despoiling the spirit of the Hajj, which is a duty for able-bodied Muslim who can afford it.
"Leaders of Islamic countries should show respect for this blessed occasion ... not demean it," the state news agency SPA said Saturday.
Saudi Arabia deploys more than 50,000 security men to prevent deadly stampedes and attacks by al Qaeda-linked militants opposed to the U.S.-allied Saudi royals.
Hundreds of thousands of happy pilgrims swarmed over the Jamarat Bridge throughout the morning, walking a 28 mile route around Mecca during the grueling rites. They must repeat the stoning again Monday, the last day.
New construction allows 250,000 pilgrims per hour to pass over the Jamarat Bridge. Saudi authorities also removed most of the squatters who set up tents at the side of the bridge.
Clerics encouraged pilgrims to stone throughout the day to avoid overcrowding, but hardliners say the rite should be carried out before noon.
"This has to be the busiest but the least troublesome Hajj I have ever seen," said Khaled al-Saad from Kuwait.
The 5-day Hajj, which had been marred by deadly stampedes in the past, was overshadowed by the hanging of the deposed Iraqi leader, a hero to some Sunnis Muslims due to his anti-U.S. stance but hated by many Shi'ites, Reuters news agency reported Sunday.
"The number one Satan is America," said Iraqi pilgrim Suleiman Awadallah, a self-styled "resistance fighter," after performing the stoning ritual. "The prayers of all Muslims when they cast their stones at the devil must be directed at (U.S. President George) Bush and his devilish allies in America and the Arab world."
Other Iraqi pilgrims greeted the news with jubilation, and saw it as particularly appropriate on Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice that began on Saturday. Saudi authorities, however, attacked Iraq for despoiling the spirit of the Hajj, which is a duty for able-bodied Muslim who can afford it.
"Leaders of Islamic countries should show respect for this blessed occasion ... not demean it," the state news agency SPA said Saturday.
Saudi Arabia deploys more than 50,000 security men to prevent deadly stampedes and attacks by al Qaeda-linked militants opposed to the U.S.-allied Saudi royals.
Hundreds of thousands of happy pilgrims swarmed over the Jamarat Bridge throughout the morning, walking a 28 mile route around Mecca during the grueling rites. They must repeat the stoning again Monday, the last day.
New construction allows 250,000 pilgrims per hour to pass over the Jamarat Bridge. Saudi authorities also removed most of the squatters who set up tents at the side of the bridge.
Clerics encouraged pilgrims to stone throughout the day to avoid overcrowding, but hardliners say the rite should be carried out before noon.
"This has to be the busiest but the least troublesome Hajj I have ever seen," said Khaled al-Saad from Kuwait.