Hawdgirl Posted January 5, 2006 Allah yaa arxamu to all the deceased xujeeyis, They were at the right and the best place to die. Inaa Lilaahi Wainaa Ilaahi Raajicuun! Report: 23 Killed in Mecca Hotel Collapse By SALAH NASRAWI, Associated Press Writer 33 minutes ago MECCA, Saudi Arabia - A hotel outside the Grand Mosque in Islam's holiest city collapsed Thursday as millions of Muslims converged for the annual hajj pilgrimage, and Al-Jazeera TV said at least 23 people were killed and 60 injured. Rescue teams pulled bodies from beneath the rubble of the five-story Al Ghaza Hotel. Most of the victims were Arabs from Egypt, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates, security officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to speak to the media. The hotel, named for the district in which it is located, is about 60 yards from the Grand Mosque at the Bab al-Salam, or Gate of Peace. It is surrounded by local markets that stay open 24 hours during the pilgrimage, a major source of income in the holy city. The courtyard of the Grand Mosque encloses the Kaaba, a large stone structure that Muslims face during their five daily prayers. The Prophet Mohammed was born in Mecca, where the Grand Mosque is central to the Muslim faith and the hajj. Daily prayers also are conducted in the mosque's marble-paved yard, which can hold thousands of people. Islam's five pillars require followers to profess there is one God and Mohammed is His prophet, pray five times daily, give alms, fast daily during the holy month of Ramadan and — if financially able — travel to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. The number of pilgrims to Mecca has increased elevenfold over the past 15 years. During that time, the Saudi government spent billions of dollars to improve accommodations, transportation and medical facilities for the "guests of Allah." But the massive gathering frequently has been struck by tragedy. The worst hajj-related tragedy occurred in 1990 when 1,426 pilgrims were killed during a stampede in an overcrowded pedestrian tunnel leading to holy sites in Mecca. In 2004, on the final day of the ceremonies, 251 people were trampled to death when the crowd panicked during the ritual stoning of the devil. Three years earlier, 35 hajj pilgrims were killed in a stampede during the same ceremony. In 1998, about 180 pilgrims were trampled to death when panic erupted after several fell off an overpass during the ritual. In 1994, some 270 pilgrims killed in a stampede during the stoning ritual. During an anti-U.S. demonstration staged by Iranians in 1987, some 402 people, mostly pilgrims from Iran, were killed and 649 were wounded in the crash of a Pakistani jetliner carrying hajj pilgrims from Jiddah to Riyadh, the Saudi capital Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jafarel. Posted January 5, 2006 They could not have died at a better place. May Allah forgive them their sins and grant them an abode of the highest status. Upon you be peace... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hodman Posted January 5, 2006 Inalilaah wa Ina Ilayhi Rajicuun May Allah reward them with Jannah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
raula Posted January 6, 2006 Inna lillahi waina ileyhi rajicuun. May Allah s.w. forgive thier sins and grant them Jana-Amin Amin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
