2, 000 Saudi stampede calsualty caused by security negligence – Islamic group
2, 000 Saudi stampede calsualty caused by security negligence – Islamic group
By Gobroadsheet
The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has blamed Saudi Arabian authorities for the stampede in Muna on Thursday during the Hajj activities.
The Sun newspaper Friday reported that about 2,000 people were killed in the stampede during the devil stoning right performed by Muslims who travel to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. Over a dozen Nigerians have been confirmed dead from the stampede with many more yet to be accounted for.
In a statement on Saturday, MURIC whose officials were in Muna during the incident, said the failure of adequate planning for the event was “criminal negligence” and “the Saudi authorities must be held accountable.”
The group, in the statement by its director, Ishaq Akintola, urged “the Nigerian government to support NAHCON’s (Nigerian Hajj agency) stand on this.
“Nigeria must demand compensation from the Saudis for families of the bereaved. We should also task the Saudis to involve the world Muslim Ummah in the planning and implementation of the annual hajj exercise in view of the emerging scenario of complacency on the part of the Saudi authorities.”
Apart from Nigerian officials, Iran has also blamed Saudi authorities for the stampede during which about 130 Iranians were killed.