Act of God or ineptitude?

Making Hajj safe is the King’s responsibility

The two tragic incidents during the Hajj this year leading to hundreds of deaths could have been averted through better management. The collapse of the construction crane, killing at least 107 and injuring 238, at Makkah’s Grand Mosque was attributed to heavy rain and strong winds to vindicate the Saudi authorities. In the second incident, stampede resulted in the death of 769 pilgrims while hundreds who were injured are still hospitalised. Without waiting for the results of an enquiry the Saudi Grand Mufti has exonerated the government of any mismanagement saying this was all due to fate which was beyond human control. Few would accept the irrational and self-serving excuse in this day and age.

Protecting the pilgrims and visitors at the holy cities of Makkah and Madina is a key pillar of legitimacy for the Saudi royal family with the King calling himself “custodian of the two holy shrines”. The title carries a heavy responsibility regarding the safety of the pilgrims. The two indents indicate that not enough has been done in this respect. The tragic incidents could have been prevented had there been greater care for the safety of the pilgrims leading to a better management of the Hajj. Saudi royalty’s fascination with development work at the expense of the heritage and human life caused the first disaster. Had the government postponed the expansion of the Grand Mosque till after the Hajj, the deaths would not have taken place.

With the largest number of the dead and injured reported so far belonging to Iran, President Rouhani called for an investigation into the incident at UN General Assembly. While he has been accused of settling political scores with Saudi Arabia, others too have made similar demands, including the head of the Nigerian delegation in Makkah. Highly damaging, though still unconfirmed, stories about the causes behind the stampede are also going around the media. It is time Riyadh conducts a transparent probe into the affair and takes measures to fulfill its responsibilities vis-a-vis the safety of the pilgrims.