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Hajj Stampede: Buhari Tasks Saudi Authorities Over Flaws In Operations

By Sulaimon Salau
26 September 2015   |   1:33 am
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has condoled the families of the Mina tragedy, urging the Saudi authority to identify and correct the anomalies in the hajj operations.
Buhari

Buhari

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has condoled the families of the Mina tragedy, urging the Saudi authority to identify and correct the anomalies in the hajj operations.

A statement by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said the President was deeply saddened by the colossal calamity, which claimed lives of hundreds of pilgrims, including some Nigerians.

President Buhari believes that the stampede at Mina in which a notable Nigerian Journalist, Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf, Prof. Tijjani El-Miskin and others lost their lives is a monumental tragedy, not only for citizens of the countries involved, but for the global Islamic community.
“The President extends sincerest condolences to the families of the over 700 pilgrims who lost their lives in this latest disaster in the Holy Places which occurred less than two weeks after a crane collapse in Mecca claimed more than a hundred lives,” the statement said.

Buhari commiserated with the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Nigerian Union of Journalists on the sad loss of Hajiya Bilkisu, describing her as “an exemplary, dedicated, knowledgeable, very credible, highly-respected, outstanding editor and columnist who, even in death, will remain a glittering role model for journalists, within and outside Nigeria.”

The President said he had taken note of the assurance by the Government of Saudi Arabia that Thursday’s catastrophe would be investigated and urged King Salman to ensure a comprehensive and thorough exercise that would identify any flaws in Hajj organisation with a view to avoiding a recurrence of such tragedies during the annual pilgrimage.
“In the knowledge that it is not within our powers to question the will of God, President Buhari prays that Almighty Allah will comfort the families who lost their beloved ones in the stampede and receive the souls of all those who died in the Holy Land while fulfilling the religious obligation of the Hajj,” the statement added.

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