JEDDAH, 16 January 2006 -- Haj Minister Fouad Al-Farsy said that nearly three million Muslim faithful, including foreign pilgrims, Saudis and expatriate workers performed Haj this year.

Addressing the delegates of foreign Haj missions and media persons who won ministry's prizes, Al-Farsy said the government had made all-out effort to make the annual event a success.

"By the grace of God, about three million, including foreign and domestic pilgrims, stood on the plains of Arafat in prayer during this Haj," the minister told the gathering at Crowne Plaza Hotel here yesterday.

He said the happiness of a successful completion of Haj this year was marred by Thursday's stampede at Jamrat in Mina, adding that the accident was caused by those pilgrims who ignored instructions.

He said most pilgrims involved in the stampede were carrying large bags, obstructing movement of their fellow faithful. "We have advised pilgrims several times not to carry baggage while heading for Jamrat for the stoning ritual for the sake of their own safety."

Al-Farsy called upon pilgrims to make use of the concessions given by Islam in performing rituals. "Our Prophet (peace be upon him) selected the easiest option whenever he had a choice," he pointed out.

The minister was apparently referring to the insistence of many pilgrims to stone the Jamrat as soon after noon as possible on the 12th of Dul Hijjah (Jan. 12), putting the lives of themselves and others in trouble, ignoring the religious edicts issued by scholars that they could stone any time on that day to save lives.

"The government and people of Saudi Arabia, who leave no stone unturned in the service of pilgrims, are saddened by the Mina tragedy. Our objective is to help all pilgrims return home safely after performing their Haj rituals in ease and comfort," the Saudi Press Agency quoted the minister as telling the delegates.

Al-Farsy thanked all government and private agencies and establishments who took part in the Haj operation to make the annual gathering a success.

Muhammad Salahuddin, head of the jury that selected the winners of prizes instituted by the Haj Ministry for the best media coverage of the event, said the ministry decided to distribute the prizes every year, considering the role of media in projecting the government's efforts in the service of pilgrims and providing guidance to the guests of God.

Al-Farsy distributed prizes to members of the jury, who are Khaled Almaeena, Abdullah Manna, Salahuddin, Qenan Al-Ghamdi, Abubakr Bagader, Hatem Qadi and Abdul Wahab Baghdadi. Arab News National Editor Mahmoud Ahmad received the award on behalf of Almaeena.

The winners of the prizes for the media coverage of Haj 2005 were: Fahd Nasser Al-Zouman of Al-Riyadh and Muna Muhammad Al-Manjoumi of Al-Hayat for the best individual reporting; Anwar Kamal Baghdadi of Al-Eqtisadiah and Wahib Abdul Rahman Al-Wohaibi of Al-Jazirah for the best human interest stories; Wajdi Hassan Halawani of Al-Watan, Saud Al-Muwallad of Al-Madinah and Wasim Obaidi of Al-Eqtisadiah for the best photojournalism. Okaz and Al-Madinah won the prizes for the best overall coverage of Haj 2005.

More than 400 Saudi and foreign media persons were present this year to cover Haj events. Adnan Kateb, chairman of the South Asian Establishment for Pilgrims, has been taking care of mediapersons from Saudi newspapers for the past five years.

"Our establishment provides the mediapersons food, accommodation and other facilities to help them carry out their mission in an excellent manner," Kateb said and commended the role of mediapersons in projecting the true picture of Haj to the outside world.

By P.K. Abdul Ghafour

© Arab News 2006