by B. R. GOWANI
Mecca’s population during Prophet Muhammad’s time was about 550
in 2024, Mecca’s estimated population is 2,500,000 — 2.5 million Muslims
(non-Muslims are not permitted in Mecca)
the number of pilgrims for 2024 was 1.8 million people
this year, extreme heat has caused over 1,000 pilgrims’ death in Mecca
more than half of the victims are Egyptians
the previous Hajj seasons have witnessed deaths too
(India’s Hindus have suffered 100s & 1,000s of deaths during such events)
many pilgrims were denied entry into the air-conditioned space
the temperature was unbearably high at 125.2F (51.8C)
climate change, due to fossil fuel emission, is responsible too
Saudi Arabia is the largest exporter of petroleum
oil companies, S. Arabia & other oil-rich countries contribute to emission
so much has changed in more than 14 centuries
the changed time demands some religious rituals to be totally discarded
although the richest Muslim country, S Arabia fails to avoid such tragedies
Muslims should throw stones at Saudi rulers rather than mythical Satan
Allah needs to reveal some new religious decrees which benefits Muslims
that’s not tough, anyone can claim that she/he received revelations
but will the well-armed agents of Allah let any new claimants survive?
all past revelations have been personal revelations by individuals
non-existent God doesn’t reveal anything by himelf;
the prophets claim revelations on his behalf
till revelations arrive directly,
these tragedies will continue, people will cry, and then forget
the cycle will keep on repeating —
and things will stay the same …
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com