More than two million Muslims are taking part in the Hajj this year.. 14 of those were killed this morning in stampedes, but that's not much really in the grand scheme of things..last year 35 died..1998 it was 118.. 97 saw 343 pilgrims die in a fire, 1500 injured.. and in 1990 1426 were crushed to death in an overcrowded pedestrian tunnel..
This pilgrimage, which retraces the steps of Muhammad, is the biggest annual mass movement of people on the planet..every able bodied Muslim must complete the Hajj at least one in their life.. The numbers descending on Mecca every year is proof that as many as possible seem to be taking this seriously..
Tomorrow marks the start of the Eid al Adha, the feast of sacrifice.. when traditionally a camel.. or a sheep is slaughtered..
And thus the reason for the army's presence for the next few weeks, on the streets of British cities..