ALLEGORIES GONE WILD - WHAT A BUNCH OF STONERS!

It's that time of year again.

"Hajj pilgrims 'stone the devil"

New security measures are in place for the Hajj

Millions of Muslim pilgrims performing the Hajj in Saudi Arabia have thrown stones at three pillars representing the devil, as part of a ritual.

"New security measures have been added in an effort to control the movement of pilgrims and prevent stampedes that have killed hundreds in the past.

"Saturday's ritual coincides with the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. The Hajj ends on Monday.

"Muslims are obliged to undertake the pilgrimage at least once, if able.

"An estimated 30,000 Saudi police and security forces have been deployed to marshal the crowds at this year's Hajj.

"On Saturday, pilgrims passed the three pillars in Mina, throwing stones at them."

A big day for stone salesmen, ey?

(Snip)

"On Friday, pilgrims took part in a prayer ceremony on Mount Arafat - one of the main events in the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

The ritual formed the spiritual climax of the Hajj.

Before the pilgrims complete the Hajj they must walk seven times round the Kaaba, a cube-like building in the centre of the city's Great Mosque, in an anti-clockwise direction.

The Saudi authorities have imposed a strict quota system to try to keep the number of foreign visitors to a manageable level."

(End snip)

Do they walk around the thing blindfolded? Oh, wait, that's the piñata.

Throwing rocks at a rock. Yeah, that's civilization for ya.

Should we add these tallies to lives lost to religion? You be the judge.

HAJJ DISASTERS

2006: 345 die in a crush during a stone-throwing ritual

2004: 251 trampled to death in stampede

2003: 14 are crushed to death

2001: 35 die in stampede

1998: At least 118 trampled to death

1997: 343 pilgrims die and 1,500 injured in fire

1994: 270 killed in stampede

1990: 1,426 pilgrims killed in tunnel leading to holy sites

1987: 400 die as Saudi authorities confront pro-Iranian demonstration

Till the next post, then.