North Carolina Newspapers

7B RELIGION/Q^e Ctn;I«ttt Thursday, February 12, 2004 Muslims continue rituals after 251 pilgrims killed THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MINA, Saudi Arabia - Seven more pilgrims died after being crushed in a stampede during the ritual stoning of Satan at the Mus lim hajy, bringing the death toU to 251, a Saudi official said. “Seven of the woimded succumbed to their injuries,” said Khaled al-Marghalani, spokesman for The Health Ministry. He provided no details on ages, gender or nationality. Bishr Abdullah, one of hun dreds injured in Sunday’s stampede, recounted the hor ror that he experienced. When the pushing began from two directions, Abdullah - jammed in the midst of a crowd of pilgrims close to a taU stone pillar - had no place to turn. The Nigerian pilgrim slipped and fell beneath many sandaled feet. “When the pressure intensified, I could not breathe and I fell. People stepped on me, but luckily someone I don’t know pulled me out,” he said Mon day from his bed at King Faisal Hospital in Mecca, where he was recovering with a dislocated shoulder. Abdullah was one of nearly 250 pilgrims injured in Sun day’s stampede during the often perilous “stoning of the devd” ritual that killed 244 worshippers this year. Pilgrims also have been trampled to death on then- way to the stoning ritual in 1994, 1998, 2001 and last year. Despite the Sunday tragedy, waves of pilgrims pushed and shoved their way through the crowds to contin ue with the de-vil-stoning rit uals Monday. Ambulances were seen whisking away a few pil grims overcome by the crush, but no further deaths or major incidents were report ed. Their conditions weren’t unknown, but pilgrims some times faint from exhaustion or suffer from the stress of trying to stay on their feet in the crowd. Most of those killed in Sun day’s tragedy on the plains of Mina outside Islam’s holy city of Mecca were Asians, with the biggest number of the dead identified so far as coming from Indonesia and Pakistan, the official Saudi Press Agency reported. It was the worst tragedy in seven years at the annual Muslim pilgrimage, which often has been marred by deadly fires, stampedes and riots. Fifty-four Indonesians and 36 Pakistanis were among the dead, plus about a dozen citizens each from Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, India and Bangladesh, SPA reported. It said other pilgrims to die in the stampede were from China, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and several African countries. Two of the dead were Saud is, and 53 bodies have not been identified, SPA said, adding that 133 -victims were male and 111 were female, including a child. The gen ders of the seven victims who died Monday were not known. After the tragedy, Saudi King Fahd issued an order to form an agency to develop Mecca and Medina, Islam’s two hohest city, “according to the current and future cir cumstances,” the official Saudi Press Agency reported Monday The order, issued late Sunday, did not directly mention the tragedy. It said without further elaboration that plans should be “com prehensive” and have a span of “no less than 20 years.” The crowd got out of control Sunday as people moved along a wide ramp leading to the “stoning of the de-vil” ritu al - where pilgrims throw peb bles at three stone pillars, symbolizing their contempt for the devil. Saudi authorities said that with pressure from behind, a few pilgrims fell down and 'panic set off a stam pede, “All precautions were taken to prevent such an inci dent, but this is God’s wiU,” Saudi Hajj Minister lyad Madani said Sunday “Cau tion isn’t stronger than fate.” Brig. Mansour al-Tiirki of the Saudi General Security Forces said about 10,000 security officers were on duty at the time in that area. They intervened and contained the pushing in about 30 minutes, but already 244 people had been killed and a similar number injured, seven of them critically. “Thank God I made it out. All I remember is the -violent pushing, and then I lost consciousness. I woke up here,” said Moroccan Ahmed Azeel, who was hospi talized in Mecca with a con cussion, abdominal and back injuries. Khaled al-Marghalani, spokesman for The Health Ministry, said that 198 of those injured in the stam pede were discharged and 46 remained hospitalized. They were in stable condition, he said. Sunday’s tragedy was the worst disaster at the haj[j since 1997, when 340 pil grims died in a fire at the tent city of Mina, near Mecca. About 2 million Muslims are participating in this year’s pilgrimage. Tb control the crowds, the Saudis set quotas for pilgrims from each country. After the stoning rituals are completed, the pilgrims have to walk around the Kaaba, the black cubic structure in the center of Mecca’s Grand Mosque, to finish the hajj. Expert links bishop’s windshield, victim of fatal hit and mn By Anabelle Garay THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOENDC - Two star shaped cracks on Bishop Thomas O’Brien’s windshield were caused by a pedestrian’s head and shoulder on impact, an expert testified Wednes day. The cracks on the wind shield matched the injuries on Jim Reed, the pedestrian who was killed, biomechanics consultant Patrick Hannon said. He spoke as a prosecu tion rebuttal -witness as testi- ATTEND THE CHURCH OF YOUR CHOICE THIS WEEKEND! Weeping Willow AME Zion Church “Moving From Salvation To Discipleship” 2220 Milton Rd. • Charlotte, North Carolina 28215 2 Morning Worship: 8:00 AM 11:00 AM Sunday School: 9:30AM Wed. Praise & Prayer: 7:00 PM i^sln (704)532-9125 THE CHURCH THAT CARES” Pastor Warden Henderson & Wife Myrtle FAITH SOLDIERS WORD MINISTRIES "Where Jesus Is Lord" Pastor and Mrs. Carl R. Turner SERVICES Sunday - 11:00 am • Wednesday - 7:00 pm Friday - 7:00 pm (Intercessory Prayer) 857 Eastway Drive Chariotte, NC 28205 (704)567-2128 FSWM is located right behind Cityside. We are in your neighborhood. Call Church For Van Minisuy! (greenbtlle illemorial Hton Cljurdj “A Teaching Ministry Making Spiritual Disciples” Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. (9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., 1st Sunday only) Bible Study: Tuesday 7 p.m. and Wednesday 12 Noon Child Development Center 6116 Montieth Drive • Charlotte, N.C, 28213 (Ph) 704-596-4742 (FAX) 704-597-8317 “A Word of Hope” Television Ministry Mondays @ 6 p.m. Channell 21 (Public Access TV)” Rev. Sheldon R. Shipman, Senior Pastor Word Of Faith West Pastor, Rev. Samuel Guthrie, Jr. 2300 Sanders Ave. Charlotte, NC 704-358-1709 A Church that cares for your soul 2 Chron. 7:14 Adults & Children’s Sunday School: 9:45am Sunday Services: 11:00am Wed. Bible Study/Prayer 7:00pm 4th Saturday Youth Group at 2:00pm Senior Pastor, Rev. & Mrs. Samuel Guthrie, Jr. Mother’s let us pray for our Children led by Evangelist Selma Bordeaux 1st & 3rd Saturday 12:00 Noon till 1:00 pm (greater fflount ftloriah IBrimitihe iBaatiat Church 747 West Trade Street • Charlotte, NC • Thomas W. Samuels, D.D., Pastor Sunday School: 9:30AM • Sunday Worship: 11:00AM Senior Saints Bible Study: Wed.lJNOON • Wed. Prayer Hour: 7:30PM mohy wound up in O’Brien’s hit-and-run trial. Attorneys were expected to begin their closing argu ments Wednesday afternoon. The bishop, who testified TRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH “Telline and Livins the Good News of Jesus Christ” - Outreach & Nurture Ministries For All Ayes - Spirit-led Sunday Worship: 1 lam Sunday School: 9:30am Wed. Prayer, Praise & Bible Study: 7pm Radio Ministry: Fri. 10am, WGSP 1310 AM - Rev. Quentin G. Poulson, Pastor - 3001 Beatties Fd. Rd., Charlotte, NC 28216-3731 Phone: 704-392-6098 • E-mail: POPAX@bellsouth.net Website: www.LutheranQutreach.org/Prince of Peace, htm Producing Kingdom Citizens through Evangelism Discipleship. Worship. Fellowship, and Service Pastor Claude R. Alexander, Jr. liniversily Park Baptist Church 6029 Bealiics Ym\ Rd. • Charlollf, .SC 28216 • 704-392-1681 The Park South South .Mt'ckk’iihitig High School 89(H) Park RcL, Charlotte. .S'C 28210 • 704-941-0019 .Sunday Worship. HdlOain & Sunday School. 9:30am Worship Times At University Park Baptist Church Sundtyy School 7:30, 8d)0, & J 0:00am Sunday Worship 7:00,9:00 & 11:00 am & Youth Church, 11:00 am Women’s Bible Study, Monday 6:30 pm Men's Bible Study, Monday 7:00 pm Bible Study, Thursday 6:30 pm www.th^fkminLStries.oi^ ^i)e Charlotte ^o«(t CHURCH DIRECTORY AME • AME ZION East Stonewall AME Zion Churcfi Greater Bethel AME Church 1729 GrterGrove Road 201 Granctoi Road Rev. Dr, Claude T, Williams Dr. Walter V. Howard. Jr, (704) 394-2540 (704) 376-4345 Grea^ Gettserrvne AME Zicn Churh 531 Campus Street Rev. Calvin L Mriler (704) 376-3900 Greenville Memorial AME Church 6116 Montieth Drive Rev. Sheldon R. Shipman (704) 596-4742 Weeptng Willow AME Zion Church 2220 MHton Road Pastor Warden Hetvderson (704) 532-9125 BAPTIST Rrst Baptist Church - West 1801 Oaklawn Avenue Dr. Ricky A Woods (704)372-1075 GaUee Baptist Chuich 233 Shady Lane Rev. F, A Griffin (704)333-0610 Macedonia Baptist Church 300 Hatteras Avenue Dr, John H. Walker (704) 3S Friendship Baptist Church 221 W. Bradey Avenue Pastor John A. McCulough (704)865-9016 Mt Carmel Baptist Church 3201 Tuckaseegee Road Flev. Or. Casey R. Kimbrough (704)394-3525 Reeder Memorial Baptist Church 3725 Beatties Ford Road Dr. Don Steger (704)396-2914 Mayfield Mermrtal Baptist Church 700 Sugar Creek Road (704)596-7935 St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church 1600 Norris Avenue Rev. Oiftord Matthews. Jr. (704) 375-9660 Pleasant HiN Baptist Church 517 Baldwin Avenue Rev, JA. Cuthbertson (704) 376-1201 Silver Mount Baptist Church 501 W. Arrowood Road Dr. Lincoln C. Lee (704)522-1528 Greater Providence Baptist Chuich 2000 Milton Fload Dr. Fred Gbson (704) £ St. Paul Bapbst Church 1401 North Alien Street Pastor Gregory K. Moss, Sr. (704)334-5309 Universfty Park Baptist Church 6029 Beatties Ford Fload Rev. Or. Claude R. Alexander (704)392-1681 Rrst Mt. Zion Baptist Church 1515 Flemount Road Dr. C. V. Owens (704)3: CME SEVENTH DAY Parkwood Instiluticnal CME Church Tom Hunter Road Rev. Roderick D. Lewis. Sr. (704)921-4915 Northeast SDA Church 827 Tom Hunter Fload Pastor, Frank L. Hanell, Sr. (704)394-5615 LUTHERAN Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 3001 Beatties Ford Fload Rev. Quentin G. PotJeon (704)3 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Faith Soldiers Word Ministries 857 Eastway Drive Pastor Carl Turner (704)567-2128 God's Meeting Place Word of Faith - West 4100 Gallant Ln/Steel Creek Elem. 2300 Sanders Avenue Rev. Charles W. Fleid Rev. Samuel Guthrie. Jr (704)825-4017 (704)358-1709 Greater Salem Church 5318 Salem Church Road Dr. Anthony L Jmwright (704)3 New Birth Christian FeHcwship Cochrane Midde School 6400 Star Haven Drive Pastor Christopher Harris (704)531-1291 21126 Catavtba Avenue Dr. Anthony i_ Jinwright (704) 3 Shepherds Fold Chuich 5101 Nations Ford Road Rev. David Stacihouse (704) 583-1436 PRESBYTERIAN Memorial Presbyterian Church 2600 Beatbes Ford Fload Rev. Dr, Edward B. Newberry (704):»2-47^ UNITED METHODIST Simpeon-GiHespie United Methocfet Chuich 3545 Beetbee Ford Road Dr. Andrew Brown (704) 388-2717 Monday and Tuesday in his own defense, said he initially thought he hit a dog or that his car had been struck by a rock on the night of June 14, See EVIDENCE/SB ^ God's Meeting Place Christian Fellowship Sunday Morning Worship...9:45ara Temporary LocatiomSittlt Creek Elementary School ■ 4100 Gallant Lane • Charlotte, NC For Information Call: 704S25’4017 Rev. Charles Wesley Reid, Founding Pastor ‘‘It’s Your Time - Walk Into Your Season” Cast grtonetoall African iffletlioliiElt CpiStopal Hion Cliurcl) 1729 Griers Grove Road Charlotte, North Carolina 28216 • (704)394-2540 “A Magnetic Church with a New Vision” Sunday School 9:45am Sunday Worship— IkOOam Children’s Church— 1st Sunday Youth Church 2nd Sunday Bible Study Wednesday 10:30ani& 7:00pm Prayer Meeting Wednesday 8:00pm Intercessory Prayer- 1st Saturday 6:00am Rev. Dr. Claude T. Williams HOT LUNCH PROGRAM EVERY WEDNESDAY llnoon ■ 2:00pm (FREE for those in need) Friendship Baptist Church 221 W. Bradley Ave., Gastonia, NC 28052 704-865^9016 • Fax: 704-865-9057 Website: www.friendshipgastonia.or^ ' Schedule- of Services - Early Flow Worship 8;00ain Church School 9:45aiQ Spirit Flows Celebration lliOOajn Wednesday Bible Study and Lunch 12 Noon Wednesday Bible In stitute 6;30pm Saturday Intercessory Prayer, 8:00am Sunday Intercessory Prayer. 7.00a.m. Radio Ministry. 1370 daily at 5:05pm 1540 Wednesday • 10am - Saturday • 9:30am 2V Cable Access Channel 9 • Wed. - 5:30pm & Tue. & Thur. - Midnight • WBTV Channel 3 Sun 12:30a.m. Rev. John A McCullough, Jr., Senior Pastor GALILEE BAPTIST CHURCH Rev. F.A. Griffin, PASTOR Rev. F.A. Griffin Sunday School 9:45a.m. Sunday Worship U:00a.m. Sunday School Study - Wed. 7pm Prayer Service - Spm 2933 Shady Lane • Charlotte, NC 28208 333-0810 First Baptist Church - West isui Uaklawn Ave. • Charlotte, IN(J ZSZlb (704) 372-1075 Office • (704) 372-2309 Fax Dr. Ricky A. Woods, Senior Minister Early Morning Worship 8:00a.m. Sunday School 9:45a.m. Worship Service 11 :(X)a,m. Wednesday Bible Study. 7:00p.m. MAKING 1IRSI THINGS HRS 1 Worship Missions Discipleship Evangelism Memorial Presbyterian Church ‘ Church School 9:45 A.M. • Morning Worship 11 :(X) A.M. P emorial@infionline.net 26M) Beatties Fd. Rd. Charlotte, NC 28216 • (704)392-4752 .www.mcmorial presbytcrian.com Rev. Dr. Edward B. Newberry, Pastor mt mm