Worshippers flood the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Photo: Al Jazeera English, via Wikimedia Commons
After a deadly stampede broke out during the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca on September 24, the URI community gathers to share prayers and condolences.
Today I gathered with leaders from religious organizations at the United Nations to work together to end extreme poverty on the planet. On this most sacred day of Eid, we also expressed our grief together at the tragedy of the lives lost on the holy Pilgrimage of the Hajj. We grieve for families and friends who have lost loved ones, and send out prayers to all affected.
In peace....
The Rev. Victor H. Kazanjian Jr.
Executive Director
United Religions Initiative
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Dear friends,
It is said that more than 700 people died in the tragedy at Mina during Hajj pilgrimage.
Our heartfelt condolences. We uphold all families in prayers.
Abraham Karickam
Regional Coordinator, India, South Zone
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Dear Friends
I echo Abraham and fellow colleagues in sharing our condolences with all those whose lives were lost in this tragic event.
May their Souls rest in peace,
Karen Barensche
Regional Coordinator, Southern Africa
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Friends namaste from India!
It is very shocking to know that as per Civil defense authorities said the latest death toll is 717, but the numbers have been climbing steadily and it comes only 13 days after a crane collapse killed more than 100 people at another major Islamic holy site, the Grand Mosque in Mecca, where one of the resident in our town also died. It was also a tragic day for Muslims in Yemen on Thursday, where at least 29 people attending Eid prayers died when a bomb went off inside a crowded mosque in Sanaa. May the almighty give strength to the families that lost their loved ones, departed soul may rest in peace.
As Dr. Kai Nurul Islam say that Hajj authority cannot escape the responsibility, so let us all together raise our voices against the mismanagement of the authority that caused this tragedy.
Peace,
Biswadeb Chakraborty,
Regional Coordinator, India, East Zone
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Dear URI community,
I am watching TV and it with great shock that I am watching breaking news that 454 Muslim pilgrims while performing rites of annul holy pilgrimage (Hajj) in the holy city of Mecca have lost their lives in a stampede and hundreds of others are being treated in hospitals.
I express my heartfelt condolences with the entire Muslim community, especially those who have lost their loved ones!
May the Almighty Allah grant them a place in paradise!
Some of my Muslims friends such as Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Chairman, Pakistan Ulama Council Pakistan and his Secretary, Allama Zahid Mehmood Qasmi have also gone to Mecca to perform pilgrimage. I am going to call on their contact in Mecca. I hope and pray they are OK.
With prayers,
fr James Channan OP
URI Regional Coordinator Pakistan
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May Allah Almighty accept all their good deeds, forgive all their sins and rest their souls in the eternal heaven.
Mamoun Ahmad
Regional Coordinator, URI Middle East and North Africa
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Fr. James,
I want to echo your message. My heart is heavy for my Muslim brothers and sisters who lost their lives and were injured in Mecca. May the Almighty comfort us all.
In Peace,
Sari Heidenreich, Regional Coordinator for North America
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Dear URI community,
Let us join together in prayer and reflection to offer comfort and support to all those grieving and shocked by this very sad occurrence.
With deep sympathy,
Sally Mahé, Director of Global Programs and Organizational Development
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Dear Father James,
This is very tragic and heartbreaking news. Our hearts and condolences are with all those affected.
We are also awaiting news of friends in Mecca.
Let us all pray for the safety of all the pilgrims.
In prayer,
Kiran Bali MBE JP - Global Chairperson
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Dear URI Family,
This heartbreaking tragedy seems to have proliferated. I just read the CNN news article. The death toll appears to now be over 700 and is due to a stampede that erupted during the stoning the devil ritual that was being held a short distance from Mecca.
May the souls of the dead be taken into the arms of Allah and may their memory be a blessing always. Condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives and may the hundreds of injured recover well from their injuries.
With blessings,
Rabbi Pamela Frydman
Participant, Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County
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Dear Muslim Friends,
Great loss of lives who were gathered at Mecca for their sacred religious tradition. The death toll and injured is increased. May the healing of affected family be soon and also who are passed away and gone to eternal life. May their Soul Rest in Peace!
I was going to greet the Muslim friends but on the other side, heartbreaking tragedy. I hope in the morning Eid prayers will be offered for the victims, and soon healing. Let us join hands for suffering families.
With blessings and prayers.
Yuel Bhatti
Executive Secretary
United Religions Initiative Pakistan (URI)
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To my dearest Muslim Brothers and Sisters,
Those who suffer at this happening, those I work with in service, those I pray with each day:
My heartfelt love and pledge is to work for peace and healing in this world. May this sadness be not futile; may the tears being wept... fall on the ears of all nations. May those tears bring more unity, more love and more hope to those innocent ...who suffer. We must remain in faith and stay with and be peace OURSELVES .This i know.. and i know it for my self... so I share it with you.
May you all be blessed and know this day the love that exists for you through others.
Pauline Crosbie, Bumblebee Aus xx
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Dear Fr. James and Muslim friends,
We join the condolences and prayer for the accidents in Mecca.
May peace prevail in the Middle East and Earth!
Dr. Jinwol Lee, URI Asia's Regional Coordinator for Korea
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Dear All,
I wish you a very Happy and peaceful Eid. May Allah accept your good deeds, forgive your transgressions and ease the suffering of all people around the Globe,
Happy Eid
Shahzad Francis
Head of programs
BETHAK-Khanewal
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For indeed those who die in God, shall live forever! We pray their souls are lifted to eternal paradise!
Comfort to the ends of the world and to all our Muslim brothers and sisters.
Nyambura Mundia
URI/Africa Country Contact
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Thanks for the message. It’s really a moment of sadness for all Muslims.
Asad Yameen
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Sorry from Shalom Ghana CC to all Muslim brothers and sisters around the world.
Nana Peter
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Nuestras condolencias a los hermanos y amigos de los que fallercieron en la Meca, desde URI Paraguay, les acompanamos.
Fraternales abrazos,
Dr. Silvio Torres Chávez, PREMIO CULTURAL MERCOSUR 2009
English translation:
Our condolences to the brothers and friends who passed away in Mecca. From URI Paraguay, we are with them.
Fraternal hugs.
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Very sorry to our brothers and sisters.
Geoffrey Manasseh
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I join with you by this mail to express our deep condolence to our Muslim brothers and friends around the globe. Our prayers go in the direction of bereaved families and friends at this painful moment. Please take heart and know we care and love you.
Shalom!
James Offuh
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Dear Friends,
Peace.
At this time of grief, we send our words of condolence to all the faithful communities of the mourning relatives and friends. Our prayers accompany this painful and sad event.
Br. Hermann
Nairobi
