An Element Of Risk

Eid al Adha 1436

The grim news out of Makkah - they're now talking about over four hundred pilgrims dying in the stampede at Minah - puts our decision to put off our attempt to get visas for the Hajj to next year in a very different light. Combine this with the tragedy of the crane toppling over in the storm a week or so ago and I'd have to say I'm relieved we didn't try and go, though perhaps if we were there we'd see it differently. Of course we're wondering about the safety of those who did go, especially Ustad Haroun and party, but the reports don't seem to suggest that pilgrims from this part of the world were involved. Not that that makes much difference given the appalling loss of life. Selfishly I'm hoping this will mean even more safety measures being put in place for next year, where we are very likely to be there, insya'allah. But given the very real efforts by the Saudis to ensure crowd safety I'm puzzled by what could have happened. No doubt more will emerge.

Meantime it's not exactly safe back in this Far Place, I'm afraid, especially for those with respiratory problems. The haze is back with a vengeance, as bad as I can remember it, and the air is officially in the unhealthy range. So even breathing's risky these days.