Archives

The Haj tragedy

The tragedy in Mina, Saudi Arabia, where some 244 Haj pilgrims had died in a wild stampede while carrying out a religious ritual, is a cause for profound sorrow and grieving and we offer our heart-felt condolences to the kith and kin of the victims of this unsettling incident and their fellow Muslims. May their souls Rest in Peace, is our prayer.

Tragedies of this kind are not rare in Mecca and it is our hope that more thought will be given by the authorities concerned to the safety of Haj pilgrims, because, as is well-known, tens of thousands of Muslim pilgrims converge on the holy city at this time of the year.

That the number of pilgrims to Mecca is on the rise, while testifying to their growing religious fervour, should also remind the authorities of the need to launch extra security precautions to contain the proportionately rising risks.

It will be remembered that the worst tragedy to date during the Haj observances was recorded in July 1990 when a stampede in a tunnel, also in Mina, claimed the lives of 1,426 pilgrims.

Apparently, pilgrims from previous Haj pilgrimages who had overstayed and local residents who had not registered themselves with the authorities, had helped swell the numbers at the holy city. There were also four Sri Lankan victims in this tragedy.

These factors should be taken into account and the number of pilgrims to Mecca carefully regulated and brought under closer supervisory control, although problems of a practical nature are always likely to bedevil such administrative tasks. Nevertheless, no stone must be left unturned to render the absolute security of the pilgrims.

It is up to the rest of the civilized world to go to the rescue of the Saudi Arabian government in this its hour of need. Assistance in cash and kind should be rendered to the authorities concerned to ensure the safe retrieval of dead bodies, for instance, and for their transportation.

Medical facilities should also be provided to the injured who have survived the tragedy. Those needing psychiatric care should be provided the necessary assistance and post-traumatic treatment extended where necessary.

We take this opportunity to appreciate the religiosity and devotion of our Muslim brethren. Some of these pilgrims travel hundreds and thousands of miles to fulfill this religious obligation which every Muslim is expected to fulfill, if he has the means to do so.

The mammoth numbers in Mecca, therefore, are proof that many a Muslim does not take this obligation lightly. This is ample testimony to the power that mind and spirit has over matter. If the spirit is willing there surely is a way. This sacrificial spirit is indeed worthy of emulation.

21st century Gold Rush

The news that an Uruguayan-registered boat has been caught fishing Patagonian toothfish illegally in Antarctic waters exemplifies the grave danger posed to the White Continent's fragile ecosystem by marauding prospectors.

The United Nations yesterday warned that the "21st Century gold rush" for Antarctica's biological treasures threatens to overwhelm international efforts to regulate their exploitation.

These prospectors are racing to exploit the genetic and biochemical riches of "extremophiles" - organisms that have evolved unique characteristics to survive in a hostile environment.

Isolating and extracting the substances that allow these organisms to prosper could have enormous implications in biotechnology research, leading to new cancer treatment drugs, antibiotics and industrial compounds.

Some of the products patented recently indicate Antarctica's potential. A wound-healing glycoprotein extracted from an Antarctic bacteria and biologically active substances with anti-tumour properties extracted from a strain of Antarctic black yeast are just two recent examples.

A scan of US and European patent office records turned up more than 150 applications for patents involving Antarctica.

Now the UN is warning of dire consequences if an unregulated international 'free-for-all' for Antarctic resources is allowed to develop.

Although seven countries have made territorial claims on Antarctica, no other country recognises these claims. The frozen continent is administered by the 45 member nations of the Antarctic Treaty.

Antarctica has become a potential minefield as nations try to restore order to the chaotic pursuit of its resources. Ownership of genetic materials, the issuing of patents and the environmental consequences of harvesting these resources have become contentious issues.

The only solution seems to be a broad global agreement on exploiting Antarctica's resources. The present treaty does not specifically regulate bioprospecting or define ownership of Antarctica's genetic resources. These aspects must be included in a new treaty.

Almost a century after the first explorers conquered Antarctica, we are still exploring the frozen land and learning more about it.

But only the developed nations have bases and research facilities on Antarctica. Developing countries are left out of these endeavours. Scientists from developing countries too should be invited to join Antarctica expeditions and research activities, so that the whole world can benefit.

www.ceylincoproperties.com

www.ppilk.com

www.crescat.com

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright © 2003 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager