NEWS
Families Search For Missing Pilgrims As Hajj Death Toll Surpasses 900
Friends and family members continued their frantic search for missing Hajj pilgrims on Wednesday as the death toll from the annual pilgrimage surged past 900.
The rituals, conducted in searing heat, saw temperatures in Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, soar to 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday.
Relatives have been combing hospitals and posting pleas online, fearing the worst as about 1.8 million people, many elderly and infirm, participated in the predominantly outdoor pilgrimage, held this year during the scorching Saudi summer.
An Arab diplomat reported that deaths among Egyptians alone had risen to “at least 600,” up from more than 300 the previous day, largely due to the extreme heat. This figure brought the total reported deaths to 922, according to an AFP tally of figures released by various countries.
One of the missing pilgrims is Mabrouka bint Salem Shushana from Tunisia, in her early 70s, who has been unaccounted for since the pilgrimage’s climax on Saturday at Mount Arafat. Her husband, Mohammed, told AFP that due to her unregistered status and lack of an official Hajj permit, she was unable to access air-conditioned facilities.
“She’s an old lady. She was tired. She was feeling so hot, and she had no place to sleep,” he said. “I looked for her in all the hospitals. Until now I don’t have a clue.”
Social media platforms like Facebook have been inundated with pictures of the missing and requests for information. Among those searching for news is the family of Ghada Mahmoud Ahmed Dawood, an Egyptian pilgrim unaccounted for since Saturday. A family friend in Saudi Arabia, speaking anonymously to avoid angering the authorities, said, “The good news is that until now we did not find her on the list of the dead people, which gives us hope she is still alive.”
The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is an obligation for all Muslims with the means to complete it at least once. The timing is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar, causing the pilgrimage to shift forward each year in the Gregorian calendar. For the past several years, the rituals have taken place during the sweltering Saudi summer. A recent Saudi study noted that temperatures in the area are rising by 0.4 degrees Celsius (0.72 degrees Fahrenheit) each decade.
Fatalities have been confirmed by multiple countries including Jordan, Indonesia, Iran, Senegal, Tunisia, and Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region. However, many authorities have not specified the causes of death.
A second Arab diplomat reported that Jordanian officials were searching for 20 missing pilgrims, although 80 others initially reported missing were located in hospitals. An Asian diplomat stated there were “around 68 dead” from India, with more missing. “Some died from natural causes and many were old-age pilgrims. Others, we assume, succumbed to the weather conditions,” he said.
Saudi Arabia has not provided information on fatalities but reported over 2,700 cases of “heat exhaustion” on Sunday alone. Last year, more than 200 pilgrims were reported dead, most of them from Indonesia.
Many pilgrims attempt to perform the Hajj through unofficial channels due to the high cost of official permits. This has become easier since 2019 with the introduction of a general tourism visa. “For these tourists, it’s like being on the migrant route without any idea of what to expect,” explained Umer Karim, an expert on Saudi politics at the University of Birmingham.
The Arab diplomat noted that many of the deceased Egyptians were unregistered. Even those with official permits are not immune, such as 70-year-old Houria Ahmad Abdallah Sharif from Egypt, who has been missing since Saturday after visiting a public bathroom at Mount Arafat.
“We’ve searched for her from door to door and we have not found her until now,” said a friend. “We know many who are still searching for their family members and relatives and they are not finding them, or if they are finding them, they are finding them dead.”
NEWS
Christmas: Shettima Assures Of FG’s Commitment To Citizens’ Welfare
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians of the federal government’s dedication to national security, economic transformation, and welfare of the citizens.
This was detailed in a Christmas message on Wednesday afternoon in Abuja under the signature of the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha.
According to the Vice President, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unwavering in its focus on these critical areas, as the country looks forward to the dawn of a new year.
ALSO READ: Tinubu Sends Hearty Christmas Greetings To Christians Worldwide
He said, “In these times of economic transformation, I want to assure you that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration remains steadfast in its commitment to improving the lives of all Nigerians.”
Vice President Shettima particularly urged the citizens to imbibe the virtues of national unity during the yuletide season.
“Nigeria’s diversity remains our greatest strength. Let us avail ourselves of the time provided by the holiday season to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood that unite us across all faiths and regions,” he said.
Senator Shettima assured Nigerians of the continued vigilance of the nation’s security forces, noting that “our brave security personnel will continue to work round the clock during this festive period to keep us safe.”
He said enhanced security measures have been put in place to protect the citizens during the holiday period.
“The relevant agencies have been mobilized to ensure your safety and comfort on all major routes,” he stated, urging travelers to remain vigilant.
VP Shettima expressed optimism about the nation’s trajectory in the coming year, saying, “I am filled with hope and optimism about Nigeria’s future. Together, we will build a more prosperous and united nation.
“To our young people, you are the backbone of our nation. The Renewed Hope administration is implementing various initiatives to create opportunities for you to thrive and contribute to Nigeria’s development,” he added.
NEWS
Yuletide: Adeleke Rejoices With Christians
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has felicitated Christians in Osun State and beyond on the occasion of the 2024 Christmas celebration, urging them to follow Jesus Christ’s example of compassion and tolerance.
Biztellers reports that Gov Adeleke described the birth of Jesus Christ as a defining moment for mankind, in a statement in Osogbo on Tuesday.
He described the festive season as a solemn reminder of the power of love and how it can save humanity.
ALSO READ: Archbishop Martins Champions Clamour For Better Life For Nigerians
While recognising unity and togetherness as an important message that Jesus Christ’s life resonates, Gov Adeleke charged Osun people, particularly Christians, to draw from the spiritual import of the celebration by sharing love and fostering harmony in communities.
In his words, “I extend my warm wishes to Christian faithful in Osun state and beyond as we mark this year’s Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ is a manifestation of the power of love and remind us of the essence of compassion,” the Governor noted in his message.
“In the mood of celebration, I urge us to take a moment to reflect on the message of renewal that the birth of Jesus Christ signifies, promoting activities that will unite not divide, build not destroy, and bring peace not conflict.
“It is also my sincere appeal that we extend hands of kindness to the needy and the weak in the society, spreading love and generosity beyond borders. That is the essence of Christmas and it is most essential that at a time like this, no one is left to their fate.”
NEWS
Archbishop Martins Champions Clamour For Better Life For Nigerians
Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, has enjoined all Nigerian leaders to be more sensitive to the yearnings of the people for a better life.
This was contained in a 2024 Christmas Message to Nigerians issued in Lagos under the signature of the Director of Social Communications, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu.
According to the Archbishop there is an urgent need for a better enabling environment to allow businesses thrive in a bid to reduce the high rate of unemployment and the grinding poverty in the land.
He urged leaders to prioritise the welfare of citizens over personal needs in addressing the widespread hunger, poverty, joblessness, and insecurity ravaging the nation.
ALSO READ: Tinubu Sends Hearty Christmas Greetings To Christians Worldwide
In his words, “Even in the face of policies that are deemed to have positive results in the long-term, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, floating of the naira and the new tax reforms initiative, governments must ensure that the immediate welfare of people is not neglected but factored into the planning and execution of such policies. This is necessary, if the people for whom the policies are being made are not to die before the positive results begin to manifest.
“At the same time, government spending must be prudent and compassionate. In addition, it is necessary to pay more attention to the agricultural sector so that food security can be ensured for overall benefit.”
The Prelate described as very sad and depressing the recent loss of several lives of innocent Nigerians in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra in their quest to access food palliatives owing to pervading hunger across the country.
He considered it worrisome that many Nigerians now find it difficult to purchase necessities of life, especially during this festive season that should be a period of merriment, sharing of love, food, and other essentials, which are the hallmarks of the Christmas season.
To forestall a reoccurrence of such ugly incidents, the prelate urged governments, at both federal and state levels, as well as the legislative assemblies, to identify and quickly fix the loopholes in the polity that are responsible for the massive poverty and hardship which Nigerians are facing.
He advocated the appraisal of the nation’s existing laws and enactment and enforcement of only proactive policies that would open the business environment, attract investors, and create more jobs so that the citizens can afford their basic needs; rather than depend on palliatives that offer only temporary relief.
The prelate urged substantial investments in the agricultural sector of the economy to ensure the availability of basic foodstuffs; thereby reducing the high cost of essential food items like rice, beans, onions and grains.
“If citizens have food in their homes, people will not endanger their lives while scrambling for palliatives in the way it happened,” he noted with sadness.
While praying for the souls of those who died in the recent stampedes in parts of the country, he also commiserated with those who lost their loved ones, praying that Jesus, the Prince of Peace would bring solace to the afflicted, comfort to the grieving, and hope to the despairing.
“This special season reminds us of the profound love of God, who sent His only Son to redeem humanity. May the light of Christ illuminate our lives, dispel darkness, and fill our hearts with love, compassion, and kindness. As we gather with family and friends, let us not forget those who are less fortunate, the vulnerable and the marginalised. May our celebration be a catalyst for acts of charity, generosity, and solidarity,” he stated.