Because of shoving in the first days of the Eid, some 244 pilgrims die at al-Jamra throwing at al-Aqaba

Saudi Arabia's minister of pilgrims, Eyad Bin Amin Madani, said that 244 pilgrims died and a similar number were wounded as a result of a stampede of two million Muslims to throw al-Aqaba Jamra in Mona, near Mecca, in the first day of Eid al-Adha.

The Saudi scholar Mohsin al-Awaji held the Saudi al-Tawafa ( escorting ) establishments responsible for what took place in Mona.

While the pilgrims continued the performance of their rituals, Muslim all over the world celebrated the first day of Eid al-Adha (holiday) and al-Eid prayers were held in al-Haram mosque in Mecca.

The preacher and Imam of al-Haram mosque in Mecca, Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Sadeis, delivered his sermon in which he called for giving up violence and terrorism. He indicated that the security of the country is not subject to bargaining, noting also the need to proceed with reforms.

Al-Kaaba on Saturday wore its new cover for this year at a cost of 5.5 million dollars.

Both King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia and the crown prince Abdullah delivered speeches addressed to "the guests of al-Rahman " ( the pilgrims) conveyed via the radio and the TV by the minister of information and culture, Fouad Bin Abdullah al-Farisi, in which they congratulated Muslims on the Eid and reminded them of its sublime meaning.

The speech said that among the meanings of the Eid is that Muslim to know the needs of his Muslim brothers and seeks their good and to cooperate with them for commitment and believing.