Hajj disaster brings sombre mood to Winnipeg Muslim celebration

TheEid al-Adha celebrationsat the Winnipeg convention centre were sombre for some in the aftermath of a stampede that killed more than 700 pilgrims during hajjin Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Hundreds of Muslim families packed the convention centre Thursday morning for the holiday.What is normally a happy eventwas coloured by news of the deaths of people crushed in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

At least 863 pilgrims were injured in the disaster, thedeadliest tragedy to strike the annual hajj pilgrimage in more than 25 years.

Idris Elbakri, the president of the ManitobaIslamic Association, called it a sad day.

"I'm quite saddened.We actually have friends from this community who are there;thankGod they're safe. This puts a blemish on our celebrations," Elbakri said.

He said many Winnipeg families took part in the hajj pilgrimagein Mecca, where at least 717pilgrims from around the world were crushed to death during a stampede Thursday at a crossroads on their way to a site where the stoning of threepillars takes place.

The hajj pilgrimage is attended by at least3 million peopleevery year.

• Hajj stampede kills at least 717 pilgrims near Mecca

It's not known how many people from Winnipegare there, and it's too early to say whether they have all been accounted for.

"So far, as far as we know, everyone we know is okay," Elbakri said.

Elbakri has been to hajj and he says more could be done to help keep the pilgrims safe, he said.

"It's justthere's so many people, it's a challenge logistically, and these things sadly happen. We hope the facility will improve in the future."

Omar Siddiquihas been to the pilgrimage twice. Once in 1999 and again in 2006.

"It's powerful to be praying beside people from different parts of the world, to share food with them, it's just a powerful moment." Siddiqui said.

"It's an incredible feeling particularly coming from Winnipeg.Going there and seeing so many people all there for the same purpose is incredible."

Siddiqui also said the tragedy has hit him hard because hecan imagine what it must have been like to be there duringthe horrific incident.

"You can imagine, if fourmillion people suddenly descended on Winnipeg for one sole purpose, what effect that would have, what would happen to ourtransportation system?"

Sumera Sahar learned about the tragedy while on her way to celebrate Eid at the convention centre. She was shocked and saddened by the news.

"It's a very emotional time, a very spiritual time, so the place that it happenedpeople can get quite emotional and there's so many people there that I think that contributes to, you know, people getting in and out in a safe way."

Sahar said she's never been to hajj but plans to go soon as Muslims are required to make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.

Saharlooks forward to going, but she hopes changes are made by the Saudi Arabian government to address the safety issues.

"I think maybe for safety reasons they could put in some regulations and limitthe numbers," she said.