by Sumon Corraya

During the crush September 24 that killed 769 people in Mina, at least 11 Bangladeshi nationals died and 80 were injured. Harsh criticism of civil society: "Saudi Arabia makes money with the pilgrimage but does not guarantee safety. Why are world leaders silent? ". Islamic leader: "Lack of organization is the cause of the accident. We must punish the guilty. "

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - Religious leaders and families of Bangladeshi victims strongly condemn the Saudi management of the recent Hajj disaster on September 24, which killed at least 769 people and injured a thousand others.

According to data of the Bangladeshi agencies for the Hajj (HABB), 11 pilgrims from Bangladesh are among the dead and 80 others were injured in a stampede occurred at Mina, a few kilometers from Mecca.

Fazlul Bari, well-known journalist, wrote on his Facebook profile: "Saudi Arabia is making businesses and profit due to the Hajj pilgrimage, but cannot provide security to the people. The competent authorities should be condemned for the ruinous stampede. We must raise our voices against this crime. "

A hundred pilgrims from Bangladesh are still missing since the accident, perhaps caused by a trivial "increase flow" to direct people to the "Bridge of Jamarat," structure by which, on the last night of the pilgrimage, the pilgrims carry out the ritual of the "stoning of the devil".

Bahar Ibrahim, president of the Haab, states that "of the 80 injured, 30 have returned to their camps after receiving treatment, but the conditions of others are critical." The man added that the identity of the 11 deceased is still unknown, because the Saudi authorities have not given permission to access hospitals where the bodies are being kept.

According to sources of the Bangladeshi consulate in Jeddah, Riyadh has published photos of 650 pilgrims who died in the accident. Among them, two people from Bangladesh have been recognized.

The criticism of the civil society on the Saudi management of the flow of pilgrims continues. Kazai Rashad complains: "The leaders of many countries have expressed their condolences but did not condemn the incident. Heads of State from around the world have sharply criticized Bangladesh following the Rana Plaza disaster, which killed 1,000 people. But now they are silent and I do not understand why. "

Similar convictions are expressed by an  authority of the Muslim world. Mufti Mizanur Rahman, the mosque of Baytul Mukarrom, says: "We need adequate investigation and the Saudi government must take the side of the families of those killed and injured. Obviously - adds the Islamic leader - the accident happened due to lack of organization of the pilgrimage, so those responsible must be held to account".

• BANGLADESH
• SAUDI
• ARABIA
• HAJI