Stampede massacre during Hajj considered blessing by some Muslims

Hundreds of Muslims died from a stampede during Hajj last week.

For Muslims, to fulfill the religious journey known as the Hajj is to be born again. To die in the Hajj is considered a blessing because they are considered to be martyrs who were cleansed during their spiritual trek. The Hajj takes place over a period of less than a week and millions of Muslims go through advised routes, undertaking the same rituals. Islam requires only physically and mentally sound Muslims to participate in the rites of the Hajj because the journey is a difficult one. 

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Catholic Online) - It is an indescribable experience to walk for hours among other Muslims, regardless of race. The physical difficulties involved in the Hajj are meant to lower your guard and humble you. In Hajj, no one is defined by social status or money -rich and poor alike are expected to walk. 
During the Hajj Muslims must go through the rite of "stoning the devil." In doing so, they must re-enact the temptation of the prophet Abraham by Satan on the very same site. They must conjure their personal demons, such as the fear of being inferior, shortcomings, and temptations as they throw stones. 

CNN's Nima Ebagir took the journey in 2010 and described "stoning the devil" as a rite that brings out "all the fears that make you feel small." She confessed that she stood thinking of the times in her life where she could have, and should have, been better. "All around me people wept as waves of pilgrims pressed in. Some appeared almost unseeing. Even as I felt tears running down my cheeks, I felt the weight of that gathered mass of humanity almost overwhelm me."
During the "stoning the devil" act, Muslims attempt to pick themselves up from recalling the mistakes they made so they could move forward. 
"...Pilgrims jammed together shoulder to shoulder, a hum of prayers ringing out. There were millions, stretching up the slopes of Mount Arafat," Ebagir recalled.
As beautiful and spiritual as the journey is, there have been several deaths each year. The stampede that occurred Thursday that left 717 people dead and 900 injured. On top of those numbers, CNN reported another 365 missing Muslims. 
Ebagir watched as the death toll rose and her family called friends and relatives to ask "where is her? Has she called? Are you OK?" 

The families of the victims knew the risks of going through Hajj but the knowledge did nothing to soften the blow of losing loved ones, many of whom were taking their first Hajj journey.  
Ebagir simply stated, "As the families of the victims of this tragedy struggle to come to terms with their loss, they will also be struggling to come to terms with the knowledge that the risk was always there. As they grieve, they'll be told these were the lucky ones. And some will pray that they will be lucky, too."

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