Hajj and Human Tragedies is a unique and interesting book that provide on the spot account of one of the deadliest crowd disasters that ever occurred in Hajj’s history. Of the many common causes of crowd disasters, fire hazards, aero plane crashes, construction failures and medical conditions, the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual that takes place in mina, remains potentially the most disaster-prone, and produced the largest human casualties of the dead and the injured. In the incisive and thought-provoking masterpiece, the author provides a sober reflection of the 2 incidents (the Mina ‘Stampede’ and the Crane crash at the Grand Mosque) in an objective and scientific view that identified the root causes of what came to be known as ‘Twin Tragedies’ and how they can be avoided.

The book argues quite convincingly that the so-called Mina Stampede was in actual case an unprecedented crowd collapse (the precise term in describing the scenario). Concerned with the unfortunate development in the narratives about the incidents which were largely colored by socio-economic, political and religious sentiments, the author laid bare the facts for all who dare.

Detached from the sentiments, sensations and over zealousness, the book proved itself as a reliable reference material for all those interested in crowd disasters particularly the Muslims faithful who visit the ancient and holy city of Mecca to perform one of the cardinal pillars of Islam, the Hajj. The book is recommended to students, researchers, libraries, the pilgrims, Hajj stakeholders and indeed the general public.