Sask. Muslim writer saddened after hearing of Mecca deaths

A well-known Muslim writer says she's horrified to hear about the deaths of hundreds of Muslims during this year's pilgrimage to Mecca.

Media reports say at least 700 pilgrims were trampled to death during a stampede yesterday.

Writer and filmmaker Zarqa Nawaz said some of her friends are on pilgrimage in Mecca right now.

"We haven't heard anything," she said. "Hopefully everyone is safe."

The deaths happened near Jamarat, a site where Muslims throw stones at a pillar symbolizing the devil.

Nawaz went on a pilgrimage to Mecca 20 years ago, and avoided the Jamarat site, because it was seen as potentially dangerous.

"Because it's a small area, people get crowded in that area," she said. "It's a very complicated situation, hajj, and I feel for the government of Saudi Arabia. It's not easy to manage and control that many people."

She said the tragedy is even worse as it falls on Eid al-Adha, one of Islam's most joyous festival.

"It's the equivalent of Christmas for Muslims all over the world," she said. "We feel saddened for all the people who have lost relatives on such an important day."