Jam today
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2015 2:58 am
The collapse of a crane at the Grand Mosque in Mecca was not a disaster but “a blessing in disguise” for the 107 people killed, according to a British Muslim leader.
A father-of-four from Bolton was among those killed when a crane operated by the Saudi government crashed into the mosque on Friday ahead of the start of the annual hajj pilgrimage.
Dr Hojjat Ramzy, an imam and director of the Oxford Islamic Information Centre, said he was “very saddened” to hear about the deaths and offered condolences to the families of those killed.
“But in the same breath, I would like to congratulate those people who lost their lives for going straight to heaven without any question,” he said.
“This is great honour from God that every one wishes for but not many will be granted.”
Dr Ramzy said that, according to the Koran, “there is no reward for the accepted hajj except paradise”, and added: “Many Muslim pilgrims wish to pass away during the journey of hajj and to have honour of being buried in the holy city of Mecca.”
The Saudi King Salman has promised a public inquiry into the cause of the crane collapse, which also injured at least 238 people. Officials have defended safety measures at the construction site, and said the accident occurred during a fierce thunderstorm.