HAJJ - opportunity for senseless death!

The tragedy in Saudi Arabia hitting the headlines worldwide is not something new. There has been a historical pattern of senseless death and pain connected to the hajj - the great yearly Muslim pilgrimage to Islam's holy places.

2006: 364 pilgrims die in a crush at foot of Jamarat Bridge in Mina

1997: 340 pilgrims are killed when fire fuelled by high winds sweeps through Mina's tent city

1994: 270 pilgrims die in a stampede during the stoning ritual

1990: 1,426 pilgrims, mainly Asian, die in a stampede in an overcrowded tunnel leading to holy sites

1987: 402 people die when security forces break up an anti-US demonstration by Iranian pilgrims *

At the root of this all is the deceiving power of the devil which blinds people's minds to ignore the glorious facts of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. By taking our sins upon Himself and becoming a sinner in our place at the cross (Isaiah 53:5,6; 2 Corinthians 5:21), Jesus for once and all conquered Satan, death and hell! We need no stoning of the devil nor any kind of ritual to share in this victory. We only need to believe in the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world (John 1:19) ... also those who are still enslaved by false religions and cults.

May my Muslim friends find truth and consolation in Jesus the One who invites all sinners to Him. (Matthew 11:28)

*Facts provided by the BBC