Ecumenical prayer held in memory of victims of Mina stampede

An ecumenical prayer was held yesterday at the multipurpose Sports Centre of Yaounde in Cameroon in memory of recently deceased Muslims at Mina in Saudi Arabia during the pilgrimage to Mecca.

The tragedy occurred while victims were performing one of the five pillars of Islam, and it was necessary to reserve time for meditation and thanksgiving for the repose of the souls of all our citizens who lost their lives in the most highly symbolic demonstration of their piety.

Beyond its spiritual dimension, the inter-religious worship of yesterday organized under the aegis of the National Hajj Committee, shows the compassion of government and the nation as a whole facing an evil that affects us all.

The evidence is so given that any citizen who dies in extraordinary conditions is a matter of national concern, regardless of origins or religious beliefs. It is therefore not surprising that since the death of Cameroonians in the holy land of Islam, the entire country entered into mourning.

By its very nature, the ecumenical prayer is a unique opportunity for gathering of celebrants belonging to various religious denominations around the noble ideals such as peace, stability, reconciliation of hearts, homage to the dead, thanksgiving , etc.

Far from being an isolated event, the interfaith service yesterday comes after other gestures of support and compassion initiated at the highest level. We remember that shortly after the tragedy, the President of the Republic had instructed the release of special aid for the wounded and families of the victims, while reiterating their condolences and those of the nation.

In addition, a minute of silence was observed at the recent Ministerial Council in memory of the victims. In the same vein, an emissary of the head of state (the Secretary of State for Public Health) was dispatched to Saudi Arabia to comfort the Cameroonian pilgrims affected by the event. The on-site personal message of comfort and encouragement of the head of state was thus transmitted to all surviving pilgrims, with the promise to "take all necessary measures to support the victims."

We can't forget the national day of mourning last Friday observed throughout the national territory. The survivors did not fail to express their relief and gratitude after returning safe and sound thanks to the homeland air bridge established by the national carrier between Mecca and Yaounde- Garoua- Douala.