THOROUGH investigations into the Mina stampede is expected to reveal exactly happened in the Tent Valley during this Haj season and how it occurred. The tragedy has saddened all of us in Saudi Arabia like the kith and kin of its victims. May Allah shower His mercy on the dead and grant speedy recovery to the injured in the sorrowful incident, amen! Before and after the result of investigations comes out we can rightly point out that lack of security and safety awareness among the pilgrims has been one of the major problems before Saudi Haj managers. Crowd management during the Haj season, which draws more than two million faithful from different countries around the world, is a difficult task. Everybody knows that Saudi Arabia spends a substantial portion of its national revenue for the effective and successful management of Haj affairs every year. It has carried out gigantic projects in Makkah, Madinah and other holy sites for the welfare and safety of Hajis. Its scholars and scientists have developed new ideas and projects to ensure the safety of pilgrims and protect them from sunstroke, epidemics and other calamities. Since its inception, Saudi Arabia has been considering the pilgrims who come for Haj and Umrah as the guests of God and taking care of them accordingly. Saudi citizens including officials and ordinary people should understand that the Kingdom is committed to provide all care and support to the guests of God and we are capable of doing that thanks to the blessing of God. Accidents that occur during Haj have nothing to do with our efforts or capabilities because they occur due to some mistakes, and this happens even in highly developed countries with disciplined people. Hundreds have died in European countries due to stampedes. They occurred at football stadiums and festival centers that house not more than 20,000 to 30,000 people. But we did not see anybody attacking those countries or questioning their capabilities, because civilized people know that such catastrophes could occur due to some mistakes despite the adoption of preventive measures. Saudi Arabia mobilizes all its human and material resources to ensure safety and security of pilgrims and exert all possible efforts to enhance the safety and Haj awareness of pilgrims. Everyone who looks at things with fairness and justice can see the Kingdom's commendable services for the guests of God. Only those who wanted to fish in troubled waters would ignore them.
