I’ve been reading the Arab News online recently to get news from a slightly* different perspective. Of particular interest is a columnist who posts daily commentaries on the the hajj. As a non Muslim, I find these writings quite insightful.
Dul Hijjah 10 (the third day of the pilgrimage) is always a very hectic day for the pilgrims. After spending the night in Muzdalifah, they have to stone the Great Satan, then there is the sacrifice and next, they must take care of all the necessary steps to be released from ihram — their state of consecration. Finally, many move on to the Holy Haram to perform tawaf. So most do not have the energy to be concerned with anything happening out in the larger world. Many people came to know about Saddam’s hanging through text messages from their relatives. Texting is a very popular form of communication at the Haj and people are kept updated with the situation at home through text messages from relatives and friends. Pilgrims are frequently seen stopping to read incoming messages on their mobile phones, oblivious to the fact that they are blocking pathways.
