Muslims in Regina celebrate Eid and pray for hundreds killed in Mecca

REGINA – The death toll continues to climb in the holy city of Mecca where millions of Muslims gathered as part of the Hajj pilgrimage.

In Regina, the celebration of Eid al-Adha was held at a community centre despite the lives lost overseas.

Eid al-Adha happens only twice a year, the first at the beginning of Ramadan and now at the end of Hajj.

“This is in remembrance of the sacrifice offered to the prophet Abraham in Mecca,” said Habib Rehman, the President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Regina.

On the eve of Eid al-Adha, reports say hundred have died in the holy city.

At least 863 pilgrims were injured in the crush, said the Saudi civil defense directorate, which provided the death toll.

They partook in Hajj, which is the journey to Mecca, something local Imam Mohammad Hashem did with his family in 2005.

“The purpose of the Hajj is to make yourself pure,” said Hashem.

It’s a requirement for all Muslims as long as one is healthy, can afford the journey and has a safe place to stay.

However, Hashem says the deaths are due to organizational mismanagement.

“This stampede happened when people didn’t know which direction and when all people are going in the same direction,” explained Hashem.

Both Rehman and Hashem say they will be praying for those who have lost their lives.

Hashem also says the history of Hajj dates back over 1500 years and despite what has happened in Mecca, it will not deter Muslims from partaking in the pilgrimage because it is pivotal to their Muslim faith.