Yesterday, Kyrgyzstan was shocked by the news about the traffic accident in Saudi Arabia with 43 pilgrims who were returning in the bus from Mecca after performing Hajj, fifth pillar of Islam. Two buses crashed leaving 23 people dead, and others, most of whom were deadly injured, were taken to the hospital. Gulfnews states that the accident occurred in Al Bathah area, about a kilometre inside Saudi territory from the UAE’s Al Ghuwaifat border. It is also said that the main reason for the accident was poor visibility.

Almost all died pilgrims were from Osh oblast of Kyrgyzstan, mainly from provinces of Aravan, where I am from, and Kashkarkyshtak. They were on their way to United Arab Emirates, from where they were to fly to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I personally knew two people who died in the accident. It was really heartbreaking news for me, and especially for the relatives of dead, because they were waiting for pilgrims to come safe and secure, as this year pilgrimage to Hajj from Kyrgyzstan was done only by air traveling, which is faster and safer, in contrast to previous years when pilgrims used buses. Today, relatives of dead are waiting for bodies of pilgrims to be transferred to Kyrgyzstan. According to GulfNews,

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the UAE Red Crescent Authority, was praised yesterday by the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Awqaf for his initiative to swiftly transfer the bodies of Haj pilgrims. Shaikh Hamdan instructed authorities to facilitate the speed transfer of the bodies and the 25 injured pilgrims.

Addition to the article, Jan. 15, 2007
Chief mufti of Kyrgyzstan Murataly Jumanov has told to Fergana.ru that

“According to the decision of Saudi Arabia and Religious Department of Kyrgyz Republic our dead compatriots are announced shaheeds [a title that is given to a Muslim after his death, if he died during the fulfillment of a religious commandment]. Besides, according to the laws of Saudi Arabia Muslims died during hajj should be buried on the grounds of Saudi Arabia. It was a will of Allah, therefore we ask all to accept this and to be patient”.

According to chief mufti, relatives of all victims of the accident have agreed with this decision, and some have expressed desire to bury their died relatives in Mecca and this question is under consideration of the parties. The government of Saudi Arabia is also considering a question on creation of conditions for visiting graves of dead by their relatives.