Hajis happy to be back, but with tales of horror

LUCKNOW: First batch of pilgrims belonging to Uttar Pradesh returned from Mecca after successful completion of haj here on Tuesday. As relieved as they were to return home safe in the wake of accidents in this year’s pilgrimage, they narrated their experience amidst a warm welcome by their equally relieved family members.
Sharing their view of the stampede tragedy they witnessed at Mina in Saudi Arabia during the ritual of stoning the devil, Ambedkarnagar residents Mohammad Israeel and Zubia Khatoon said, “In an attempt to save ourselves, we sustained minor injuries, but God is great and whatever happened was His will.”
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Sultanpur resident Mohammad Yusuf, 70, among the first of hajis to come out of the airport, said the experience was frightening, as a major tragedy struck the venue barely a few days before the Eid ul Zuha festival.“I was barely able to save myself, as when the crane fell killing and injuring many, I was in my tent, and had opted for another route to perform the ritual,” said Yusuf.
Mushtaq Ahmed and Ishrat Jahan of Kakori, too had a narrow escape. Ishrat said, “After the tragedy, we could see only police and ambulance.” Mohammad Sharif of Jhansi said after offering namaz and stoning the devil, he returned to his tent around 7am, while the stampede took place at 11am.
Ambedkarnagar resident Azadar Husain said, “When the crane fell, we were nearby and we clung to the walls to escape injury or stampede.” Similar experience was shared by Abdul Wahab and Aamna Khatoon of Pratapgarh, Musharraf Khan of Bareilly and Saeed Mohammad of Jhansi. Bareilly’s Saeeda Begum and Kausar Iqbal said when they heard about the crane crash, they postponed their plan. Around the same time, there was thunder storm and rains, they added.
Mohammed Ali, Shahjahan Begum and Kallu of Mehdiganj, Lucknow had a sorry experience of another kind. Mohammed Ali said, “When we were moved by Indian Haj committee members from Medina to Mecca, our luggage did not arrive and we were stranded in the camps without our things of daily use, cash and medicines. Haj committee in Lucknow was no help and finally it was when Imam of Eidgah Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali sent email to Indian consulate and Haj Committee of India in Mumbai that we got our belongings back, after 10-12 days of sufferance.”