ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has organized a force to prevent stampedes
at the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
This was the second force created by the ministry to maintain order
during the Haj. Every year, hundreds of people have been killed in stampedes
that result from the stone-throwing ceremony at Jamrat. More than two
million people participate in the Haj.
The Interior Ministry formed a force to facilitate the flow of the
millions of pilgrims in Mecca during the Haj. The ministry said pilgrims and
Saudi vendors would be prevented from loitering in the streets leading to
the Haj procession in Mina, Middle East Newsline reported.
"The new force will prevent people from waiting on the roads leading to
the Jamrat and standing near the pillars at which stones are thrown," a
ministry source told the Jedda-based Gulf News on Nov. 25.
The source said the new unit would also designate the route of pilgrims
and monitor the flow of people. The ministry did not say how many officers
would be recruited into the force.
Officials said the crowd management force would operate during the peak
of the Haj. They said vendors and squatters along roads leading to Jamrat
has contributed to the stampedes.
In 2005, the ministry formed a force to respond to emergencies during
the Haj. The force was equipped with helicopters as well as other platforms
to rescue people and respond to any violence.
The Saudi government has overseen construction of a new bridge as well
as several tunnels to ensure the passage of pilgrims. The first phase of the
bridge was expected to be completed before the forthcoming Haj, expected in
December.
"The primary objective of the project is to help facilitate the stoning
ritual at Mina without stampedes and other accidents," Deputy Municipal
Minister Habeeb Zainul Abideen said.
