Stoning 'devil' Bush
How Muslims mix Politics and Religion
Pilgrims stone "devil" Bush in haj ritual
MENA, Saudi Arabia -- Haj pilgrims have pelted stones at symbols of the devil, with many saying they were targeting U.S. President George W. Bush and other world leaders seen as oppressing Muslims. "Yes, the devil is Bush and that other one from Israel -- (Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon. And there's Blair too," said Egyptian Tia'amah Mohammed on Friday. "We throw the stones so we can vent our anger at them." Many Muslims revile Bush for his perceived bias towards Israel and the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Anger at Sharon also runs deep over Israel's occupation of Palestinian land and Jerusalem, the site of one of Islam's holiest shrines. "During the stoning I couldn't help thinking of Bush, Blair and Sharon," said British Muslim activist Yvonne Ridley.
Pilgrims "stone Satan" as Muslims mark Adha festival
MINA, Saudi Arabia -- Some 2.5 million Muslims took part in the "Stoning of Satan" ritual, as the Islamic world marked the Eid al-Adha feast of sacrifice following the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The pilgrims were stoning one of the "jamarat", or three pillars symbolising the devil, in the ultimate but also the most dangerous ritual of the hajj that last year saw 251 people killed in a stampede.
Hajj pilgrims stone symbolic Satan
MINA, Saudi Arabia -- Shuffling slowly but smoothly, huge crowds of people have hurled pebbles at pillars representing Satan, symbolically stoning the devil in a final ritual of their pilgrimage. Meanwhile, Muslims at the Hajj and around the world slaughtered sheep, cows and camels to mark the Feast of the Sacrifice holiday.
Pilgrims pray during Hajj zenith
Muslims save for years to perform the Hajj
More than two million Muslims from around the world have prayed on Mount Arafat on the most important day of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The ascent to Mount Arafat, a hill 18km (11 miles) west of Mecca, is the high point of the five-day rituals. Saudi officials have mobilised more than 50,000 security staff to prevent possible stampedes or terror attacks.
Posted by Editor at January 21, 2005 08:27 AM
