24 Sep 2015 20:38

Moscow hopes Saudi Arabia to ensure safety of Russian pilgrims

MOSCOW. Sept 24 (Interfax) - Head of the Federal Agency for the Affairs of Nationalities Igor Barinov expressed hope that the Saudi Arabian authorities will take all required measures to ensure safety of pilgrims during the hajj.

Barinov recalled that 16,000 Russians went to Mecca and Medina this year alone. "We are certainly concerned about their safety during the stay in Saudi Arabia," Barinov said in the commentary received by Interfax on Thursday.

"We can only hope that in future the kingdom's authorities will take all possible efforts to increase the level of safety during the hajj," Barinov said.

The head of the agency said that this event did not leave indifferent not only the whole Muslim world, but also representatives of all other religions, all reasonable people.

"Despite the fact that the death for a Muslim is good to some degree and is considered to be the shortest way to meet with the Lord, a human life was and remains the top value," Barinov said.

Barinov offered sincere condolences to the relatives and the loved ones of the casualties.

It was earlier reported that, according to preliminary reports, more than 700 pilgrims died and more than 800 were wounded in a stampede near Mecca on Thursday. The tragedy took place, when the pilgrims were going to the Mina Valley in order to perform a rite of stoning the shaitan (devil) - to hurl stones picked up in the Muzdalifah Valley at the pillars symbolizing Satan and to make a promise to oneself to take all efforts to purge the devils from your life.