MINA, Saudi Arabia -- Huge crowds of Muslims hurled pebbles at stone walls representing the devil in a purging ritual of the hajj pilgrimage Saturday, with many expressing joy at the news of deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein's execution in Iraq.
The stone-throwing ritual has been one of the most dangerous of the hajj, the cause of frequent stampedes as the massive crowds of pilgrims file past the walls along a gigantic platform, hitting each with seven stones. Last year, more than 360 pilgrims were killed in a stampede, while 244 pilgrims died in a similar crush in 2004.
Only days after last year's hajj ended, Saudi authorities tore down the platform and built a new, larger one with more entrances and exits. Thousands of police enforced strict traffic rules for the pilgrims this year, keeping them moving in one direction....
