Malunde: Wanawake msikubali kurubuniwa kuuza shahada za kupigiakura

Mkurugenzi wa Halmashauri ya Wilaya ya Mufindi (DED), Saada Malunde

ZIKIWAZIMEBAKIA siku chache kabla ya kufanyika kwa Uchaguzi Mkuu mwaka huu, Mkurugenzi wa Halmashauri ya Wilaya ya Mufindi (DED), Saada Malunde amewataka wanawake kudhibiti shahada zao za kupigiakura na wasikubali kurubuniwa kuuza shahada hizo.

Alisema kuwa katika hiki cha kuelekea katika uchaguzi mkuu oktoba mwaka huu wanawake mara nyingi wanatumika kisiasa na wanasiasa kwa rubuniwa kwa vitu vidogo.

DED huyo alisema hayo wakati akifungua semina ya uongozi wa mwanamke katika kilimo, upatikanaji wa huduma za ugani na pembejeo za kilimo kwa wanawake wakulima mjini Mafinga jana.

Mafunzo hayo yaliandaliwa na Shirika la Land O' Lakes chini ya ufadhili wa Shirika la Misaada la watu wa Marekani (USAID) kupitia Mradi wa Ubunifu katika Masuala ya Kijinsia na kuimarisha Uhakika wa Chakula katika ngazi ya kaya. 

“Mujue kuwa mukizitoa shahada zena itakuwa mumeuza utu wenu kwa kipindi cha miaka mitano ijayo”, alisema Malunde.

Alisema kuwa wanaweza kuja watu wakataka muwape shahada zenu za kupigia kura, nakunasihini hata kuwaonesha musiwaoneshe achilia mbali kuwapa.

Hata hivyo, mkurugenzi huyo wa halmashauri ya mufindi walisahi wanawake hao kuzingatia mafunzo hayo kwa kuyatumia kuboresha maisha kwa kulima kilimo cha biashara.

Aliongeza kuwa wanawake mara nyingi wanakabiliwa na upatikanaji mdogo wa, ardhi ya kutosha, zana za kilimo na pembejeo, mikopo, huduma za ugani na ushauri wa kitaalamu na Miundombinu bora na teknolojia mpya.

Naye, Mkurugenzi wa Mradi wa Ubunifu katika Masuala ya Kijinsia na kuimarisha Uhakika wa Chakula katika ngazi ya kaya, Dkt. Rose Kingamkono wanawake ni mali muhimu katika maendeleo ya kilimo duniani kote. 

Alisema kuwa katika nchi nyingi za Afrika hadi asilimia 80 ya kazi za shamba hufanywa na wanawake. 

Pia kaya nyingi zinazojihusisha na kilimo katika nchi zinazoendelea zinaongozwa na wanawake.

“Wanawake wangeweza kuongeza uzalishaji kwenye mashamba yao kwa asilimia 20–30 kama wangekuwa na upatikanaji sawa wa zana za kilimo, pembejeo, na huduma za ugani kama wanaume,” alisema. 

Jumla ya washiriki 45 kutoka wilaya za iringa, Mufindi na kilolo wamepatiwa mafunzo ya uongozi wa mwanamke katika kilimo, upatikanaji wa huduma za ugani na pembejeo za kilimo kwa wanawake wakulima.

mwisho

DED: WOMEN YOU SHOULD NOT ACCEPT SMALL GIFTS FROM POLITICIANS

MUFINDI: Mufindi District Council Executive Director (DED), Saada Malunde has urged women not to be used politically by politicians who come and buy their voter cards, especially this time of the year of election. 

Malunde said that in this coming general election in October this year women are often used by politicians for political means by enticing them with small items like salt, dresses t-shirts and caps.

DED said this while opening training on women leadership in agriculture, access to extension services and agricultural inputs to woman farmers held at Mafinga Town, Mufindi District in Iringa Region yesterday.

The training was organized by the Land O 'Lakes under the auspices of the Organization of American people Aid (USAID) through the Project Innovations in Gender Issues and strengthen food security at the household level.

The training attracted 45 participants from all the districts of Iringa Region, including Iringa, Mufindi and Kilolo. 

"You should not try at all cost to sell your cards because by so doing you selling your personality for the next five years," said Malunde.

She said that politicians can come in and want to give something in exchange with your voter cards so that you give those votes during the balloting never do that.

However, Malunde advised women to consider such training to use it to improve lives by cultivating agribusiness.

She added that women often faced with limited access to available land, agricultural implements and inputs, credit, extension services and professional advice and the best infrastructure and new technologies.

On her part, Chief of Party, Dr. Rose Kingamkono said that women are a key element in the development of agriculture around the world.

She said that in many African countries up to 80 percent of the farm work is done by women, adding that many households in developing countries are headed by women.

"Women could increase production on their farms by 20-30 percent if they have equal access to farm implements, inputs and extension services as men," she said.

LOWASSA AIBUKA KIDEDEA URAIS, UTAFITI MWENGINE

Taasisi ya Tanzania Development Initiative (TADIP) itakutana na waandishi wa habari Hotel ya Regency, Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, leo saa 10.30 jioni kwa ajili ya kutoa matokeo ya utafiti wa kura ya maoni kuhusu Uchaguzi Mkuu.

Ngoja tuwasikilize na hawa kuwa watazungumza nini juu ya uchaguzi Mkuu.

======================

Kinachoendelea hapa Regency Hoteli muda huu ni George Shembusho Mkurugenzi wa Bodi ya TADIP, anazungumza na waandishi wa habari anasema walifanya mchakato wa utafiti kutokana na mahitaji na mazingira kuelekea Uchaguzi Mkuu 2015.

-TADIP ilifanya utafiti mwezi wa 5 na wa 6, anasema matokeo yaliharibika kutokana na mambo kuingiliana na bodi ya ukurugenzi iliukemea kutokana na baadhi ya watu kuuchukua na kuuchapisha kwenye gazeti Agosti 4.

-Anasema katika siku za karibuni kumetokea kasumba ya umma kutafsiri utafiti unaotolewa siku za hivi karibuni kwa njia tofauti kutokana na mazingira jinsi yalivyo.

Kushoto ni Kostastin Deus,Mtafiti Mwelekezi akiwa na George Shembusho Mkurugenzi wa Bodi ya TADIP

Anamkaribisha Kostastin Deus, Mtafiti Mwelekezi kueleza jinsi walivyofanya hadi kupata matokeo ya utafiti, TADIP ni kifupi cha maneno Tanzania Development Ini7a7ves Program. Ni taasisi isiyokuwa ya kiserikali iliyosajiliwa mwaka 2006.

-Tangu kuanzishwa kwake, TADIP imekuwa ikileta chachu katika maendeleo ya Tanzania kupitia programu yake ya “Maendeleo Dialogue”.

-

Anasema kupitia tafiti na midahalo, TADIP imekuwa ikiwaunganisha wananchi, wanataaluma, asasi za kiraia na watunga sera katika kushawishi michakato mbalimbali ya maendeleo.

-Tangu mwaka 2010, TADIP imekuwa ikijishughulisha na tafiti za kura ya maoni ya wananchi kuelekea uchaguzi mkuu.

Tafiti za kura ya maoni pamoja na mambo mengine hulenga kujua maoni ya wapiga kura juu ya utayari wao wa kupiga kura, kukubalika kwa wanasiasa katika nafasi ya Urais, Ubunge na Udiwani, na mitzamo ya wananchi juu ya taasisi na mifumo ya usimamizi wa uchaguzi.

-Katika hatua ya Kura ya Maoni anasema huu ni utafiti wa pili wa kura ya maoni kufanywa na TADIP kuelekea 25 Oktoba, wa kwanza ulifanyika mwezi Mei na Juni 2015. Utafiti huu umefanyika ndani ya wiki tatu za mwanzo za mwezi Septemba.

-Utafiti huu ulilenga wananchi waliojiandikisha kupiga kura katika mikoa 12 ya Tanzania. Lengo la utafiti lilikuwa mikoa ambayo ina idadi kubwa ya wananchi waliojiandikisha kupiga kura ka7ka daSari la kudumu la Tume ya Taifa ya Uchaguzi. Kwa sababu zilizokuwa nje ya Taasisi, taarifa za mikoa 2 hazikuweza kupatikana kwa wakati (Tabora na Kagera)

-Watu 2500 walilengwa kupewa madodoso huku watu 2040 pekee ndo waliweza kushiriki kwa maana ya kurejesha dodoso. utaratibu wa kuchagua washiriki ulifanyika kwa njia ya nasibu (simple randomisation) huku kwa kila mkoa, walengwa wakigawanyika katika makundi matatu ya maeneo, mijini, miji midogo na maeneo ya pembezoni. Methodolojia...

-Aidha, wakusanya taarifa walichagua washiriki kwa kuzingatia uwakilishi wa makundi mbalimbali ya kijamii kama vile elimu, jinsia, umri, kiwango cha elimu ya washiriki na kadhalika.

-Wahojiwa walipewa madodoso ya wazi (Open ended questionnaire) kwa ajili ya kujaza majibu ya maswali yaliyokuwa yanaulizwa na wale waliokuwa hawawezi kusoma na kuandika walisaidiwa kujaza taarifa na wakusanya taarifa.

-Jendwali na 1 hapo linaonyesha mgawanyo wa sampuli katika mikoa husika. Moja ya kigezo kilichotumika kuhoji ilikuwa ni mhusika kuwa amejiandikisha kupiga kura kwenye dasari maalum kwa mfumo wa kielekroniki yaani BVR.

George anatoa matokeo ya utafiti, na kusema matokeo haya yamempa Edward Lowassa kuwa mtu wa kwanza ambaye angechaguliwa kuwa Rais na pia anaelezea jinsi wafuasi wa vyama vya siasa wanavyopenda vyama hivyo ambapo CCM kimeonekana kuwa na wafuasi kwa asilimia 35, Chadema 32, CUF 2, NCCR Mageuzi 1, ACT 3, Vingine 2 na ambao hawana chama walikuwa ni asilimia 25

Pia utafiti uliangalia namna ya jinsi wagombea urais wanavyokubalika.

-Wananchi wangependa serikali ijayo iboreshe hali ya huduma za kijamii ikiwemo elimu, afya, na maji.

Kujenga uchumi imara utakaoboresha hali ya sekta za kilimo na viwanda ili kuleta 7ja ka7ka utoaji wa ajira.

Kusimamia rasilimali za umma na mapambano dhidi ya rushwa .

-Asilimia 97% ya wanachi wana utayari wa kushiriki zoezi la upigaji kura CCM kinaongoza kwa wanachama ama wafuasi kwa asilimia 35% ikifuatiwa na CHADEMA (32%) huku wananchi wasiokuwa na vyama wala ufuasi wakiwa 25%.

-Vyama vingine ni pamoja na ACT 3%, CUF 2%, NCCR-Mageuzi 1% qEdward Lowassa anaungwa mkono zaidi katika mikoa ya Tanga, Kilimanjaro na Arusha huku Dr John Magufuli akiungwa mkono zaidi na wananchi wa mikoa ya Dodoma na Morogoro John Magufuli anakubalika zaidi miongoni mwa wapiga kura wenye umri wa zaidi ya miaka 48 huku Edward Lowassa anakubalika zaidi miongoni mwa wapiga kura wenye umri wa chini ya miaka 47.

-Edward Lowassa angepigiwa kura na wanaume kwa uwingi kuliko wanawake huku Dr. Magufuli na Anna Mghwira wakiwa na uwezekano wa kupigiwa kura zaidi na wanawake ikilinganishwa na wanaume katika nafasi ya Ubunge, 53% ya wahojiwa walisema kuwa wangemchagua mgombea kutoka miongoni mwa vyama vinavyounda UKAWA (CHADEMA, NLD, CUF, NCCR), huku asilimia 40% wakisema wangechagua mgombea kutoka CCM qAsilimia 55 ya wananchi wangechagua mgombea anayetoka ka7ka vyama vya UKAWA ikifua7wa na CCM (37%).

-Vyama vingine ni pamoja ACT (3%), TLP (2%), UDP (0.6%) na asilimia (2.3) hawajafanya maamuzi qEdward Lowassa angeweza kupigiwa kura kwa asilimia 54.5 akifuatiwa na Dr. John Mafuguli 40% ambaye angefuatiwa Anna Mghwira 2.

George, anasema madodoso yao yalifanyika kwa lugha ya Kiswahili na kwamba utafiti utafiti huo waliudhamini wenyewe.

-Anasema bajeti ya utafiti huo ilikuwa Sh. Milioni 10 tu

Wamemaliza kuongea.

Attached Thumbnails

Hajj stampede: Pope Francis expresses sympathy for Muslim community

Pope Francis expresses his ‘closeness’ to the global Islamic community on Thursday after more than 700 pilgrims were killed in a crush in the Mina valley, outside the Islamic holy city of Mecca. Speaking at New York’s St Patrick’s Cathedral, the pope said: ‘I unite myself with you all in prayer to God, our father, all powerful and merciful’

German ex-army sniper jailed for 20 years over 'murder for hire' operation

 

US attorney for the Southern District Preet Bharara announced charges against former American soldiers and a former German soldier during a news conference on 27 September, 2013, in New York. Photograph: Louis Lanzano/AP

Associated Press

A former German army sniper was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Thursday after he was caught in a sting operation that tested whether ex-soldiers would kill a federal agent.

Dennis Gogel, 29, was sentenced by US District Judge Laura Taylor Swain in Manhattan, who said a long prison sentence was necessary to deter other soldiers from thinking they could use specialized skills they learned in the military to commit crimes once they were civilians.

The judge shaved nearly two years off the 22-year prison term recommended by federal sentencing guidelines, saying she believed Gogel was sincere when he expressed remorse. But she said she doubted his claim that he did not know he was signing up to commit assassinations when he agreed to join a crew protecting a drug organization.

The sting was created by US Drug Enforcement Administration operatives who wanted to shut down a murder-for-hire operation that prosecutors said used ex-military snipers for freelance killing assignments on behalf of drug organizations.

Ex-soldier 'Rambo' charged in plot to kill federal agent

Gogel, who left the German military in 2010, was among five men, three of them ex-military snipers, arrested in September 2013. The arrests were made after authorities said the men were recorded in conversations agreeing to accept $700,000 to kill the agent and a boat captain who was supposedly providing information to the DEA about a narcotics trafficking association. The killings were supposed to take place in Liberia.

Gogel pleaded guilty in January to numerous crimes, including conspiracy to murder a law enforcement agent and a person helping a law enforcement agent. As part of his plea, he stipulated that he used his military experience to carry out the crimes.

Advertisement

Prosecutors say that at the center of the sniper team was Joseph Hunter, a former US soldier known as “Rambo” who recruited the others. Hunter, who spent two decades in the US army, is awaiting sentencing next month after pleading guilty to charges that carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

Hunter’s nickname comes from a Sylvester Stallone movie series about a troubled but highly skilled soldier. His attorney has said he is severely affected by post-traumatic stress and depression after his long military career.

Before Gogel was sentenced, he apologized as representatives of the German Consulate observed the proceeding.

“How stupid I feel to have engaged in something like that,” he said. “I truly am sorry.”

The judge said she would recommend that Gogel be eligible to serve part of the prison sentence in Germany so he can be near the grandmother who raised him.

Glenn Garber, his attorney, noted that Gogel has learned English in prison and has had a cheerful attitude.

But a prosecutor, Michael Lockard, said Gogel was always that way.

“He was likable, gregarious and he was ready to kill people,” Lockard said.

MO AMPIKU DANGOTE MFANYABISHARA BORA AFRIKA

Vinara wa biashara Afrika walipewa tuzo mbalimbali za African Business katika picha ya pamoja. Kuanzia kushoto ni Daphne Mashile Nkosi, Strive Masiyiwa, Helen Hai na Mohammed Dewji . hafla ya utoaji wa tuzo hizo ilifanyika hoteli ya Four Seasons Hotel mjini New York.(Picha na African Business).

Na Mwandishi wetu, New York

MTANZANIA Bilionea Mohamed Dewji amepata tuzo ya Mfanyabiashara Bora wa Afrika wa mwaka 2015, katika kinyang’anyiro cha tuzo za wafanyabiashara bora wa Afrika (African Business Awards 2015).

Dewji maarufu kama Mo alikabidhiwa tuzo hizo usiku wa kuamkia jana mjini New York.

Katika hafla hiyo iliyofanyika katika hoteli ya Four Season mkabala na jengo la Umoja wa Mataifa (Baraza Kuu) watu wengine waliopata tuzo ni Aliko Dangote, Daphne Mashile Nkosi, Strive Masiyiwa na Helen Hai.

MO alimshinda Aliko Dangote ambao walikuwa kwenye Kategori moja wakiwania tuzo hiyo ya mfanyabiashara bora wa Afrika, huku wengine walioshindanishwa kwenye kategori hiyo ni CEO wa Paramount Group, Ivor Ichikowitz, CEO wa Groupe Loukil, Groupe UADH, Bassem Loukil, na Oscar Onyema DG wa Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Tuzo hizo zimeandaliwa na jarida la African Business .

Pia katika tuzo hizo taasisi kadhaa zinazofanya vyema bara la Afrika zilitambulika. Taasisi hizo ni pamoja na kiwanda cha sementi cha Dangote , Guaranty Trust Bank, Abellon Clean Energy, Nigerian Stock Exchange na taasisi ya bima kwa masoko yanayochipukia ya BIMA.

Akielezwa wasifu wake katika hafla hiyo, Mo ameelezwa kama mfanyabiashara aliyefanikiwa kutokana na kuongeza kipato na ukubwa wa kampuni ya Mohammed Enterprise toka aitwae kutoka kwa baba yake.

Akiwa mtendaji wa kampuni hiyo, akiwa katika miaka ya 40 amefanya mabadiliko makubwa katika makampuni mbalimbali ya umma yaliyoshindwa kujiendesha katika sekta ya kilimo, viwanda na maeneo ya makazi na viwanda.

Uongozi wake uliwezesha kampuni hiyo ya MeTL kufanya makubwa kiasi cha kumfanya aingie katika jarida la Forbes la matajiri wa Afrika.

Majaji waliompa tuzo kwa mwaka huu walisema kwamba uongozi wake umewezesha biashara katika kampuni hiyo kuchupa kutoka dola za Marekani milioni 30 hadi bilioni 3.

Akipokea tuzo hizo Dewji alisema kwamba tuzo hiyo ni ishara muhimu kwa waafrika wote na uwakilishi wa uhakika wa vijana katika masuala ya ujasirimali.

Afisa Mtendaji Mkuu wa Makampuni ya MeTL Group, Mohammed Dewji.

Tuzo ya Biashara ya Mwaka ilienda kwa kiwanda cha saruji cha Dangote kinachoongozwa na bilionea wa Afrika, Aliko Dangote.

Kiwanda hiki kilichopo Nigeria kimejipanga kusambaza uzalishaji katika nchi nyingine za Afrika, hatua ambayo imeifanya tuzo hiyo kuwa ya kwao.

Akipokea tuzo hiyo Aliko alisema amefurahishwa sana na tuzo hiyo ya thamani kubwa na kwamba imetolewa wakati ambapo kiwanda hicho kinatanua shughuli zake kuhakikisha ukombozi wa uchumi kwa nchi za Afrika unafanyika kwa dhati.

“Tunaamini katika Afrika. Tunaamini kwamba katika kuhakikisha kuna uwekezaji mkubwa wa miundombinu Afrika itaweza kusonga mbele katika uchumi wake”.

Daphne Mashile Nkosi, Mwenyekiti Mtendaji wa kampuni ya manganisi ya Kalagadi ya Afrika Kusini alipokea tuzo mwanamke bora katika biashara. Majaji walimpa tuzo hiyo kwa kuwa ameonesha mafanikio makubwa katika sekta ambayo kwa kawaida huendeshwa na wanaume.

Mdada huyo anatambulika kwa kuwezesha kupatikana kwa ajira 30,000 huko Northern Cape, na ni muasisi wa mgodi wa aina yake katika kipindi cha miaka 30.

Mfanyabiashara wa Zimbabwe, mjasiriamali, anayependa kusaidia watu wenye mahitaji Strive Masiyiwa alipata tuzo ya mafanikio katika maisha.

Afisa Mtendaji Mkuu wa Makampuni ya MeTL Group, Mohammed Dewji akipokea tuzo yake.

Strive ambaye ni mmoja wa waanzilishi na Mwenyekiti Mtendaji kwa kampuni ya kimataifa ya mawasiliano ya simu Econet Wireless amepewa tuzo hiyo kwa mafanikio yake na pia kwa misaada mingi aliyotoa kwa vijana.

Masiyiwa ametumia utajiri wake kusomesha vijana zaidi ya laki moja wa Afrika katika kipindi cha miaka 20.

“Ni heshima kuu kupata nafasi ya kuthaminiwa na jarida lako, Ni heshima kuwa miongoni mwa marafiki… tafadhali endelezeni kazi hii njema,” alisema akizungumza kwa njia ya video.

Tuzo ya mfanyabiashara wa Mfano imeenda kwa Helen Hai, Mtendaji mkuu wa Made in Africa Initiative.

Tuzo hii kwa kawaida hutolewa kwa mtu aliyetoa mchango mkubwa katika kuboresha hali ya ufanyaji biashara barani Afrika.

Helen ambaye ana asili ya China amewezesha mabadiliko makubwa katika biashara ya viatu ya Ethiopia baada ya kuanzisha kiwanda cha viatu cha Huajian Oktoba 2011 baada ya kuwa na mkutano na rais wa nchi hiyo Meles Zenawi mwaka huo huo.

Imeelezwa kuwa kiwanda hicho mara baada ya kuanzisha katika kipindi cha miezi sita tu waliweza kuongeza pato la mauzo ya nje ya nchi hiyo kwa mara mbili na katika kipindi cha miaka miwili kiliajiri waethiopia 4000.

Sasa hivi mdada huyo amefungua kiwanda cha nguo nchini Rwanda.

“Sekta binafsi haikuja Afrika kutoa msaada, tumekuja afrika kufanyabiashara. KLakini katika biashara tunatekeleza maelengo ya maendeleo. Nina imani kubwa na Afrika, naamini kupitia simulizi za mafanikio tunashawishi wengine kujiamini kutwaa uongozi na kuliwezesha bara hili kutambua fursa zake,” alisema Helen.

Guaranty Trust Bank, iliwashinda wengine kadhaa waliotajwa na kushinda tuzo ya utawala bora wakati Abellon Clean Energy ilipata tuzio ya ubinifu wakati Nigerian Stock Exchange ilipata tuzo ya urejeshaji kwa jamii faida ikiwa ni huduma bora za jamii. 

Akizungumzia tuzo hizo ambazo ni za sab, Omar Ben Yedder alisema hafla hiyo imwezeshwa na Zenith Bank, GTBank, Agility na Cofina .

Washindi wa 2015

AFRICAN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 

-Dangote, Nigeria

BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

-Mohammed Dewji, CEO, Mohammed Enterprise, Tanzania

MOST OUTSTANDING WOMAN IN BUSINESS

-Daphne Mashile Nkosi, Executive Chairperson, Kalagadi Manganese, South Africa

AWARD FOR GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

-Guaranty Trust Bank, Nigeria

AWARD FOR BEST CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

-The Nigerian Stock Exchange, Nigeria

AWARD FOR INNOVATION

-Abellon Clean Energy, Ghana

INSURANCE COMPANY & INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

-BIMA ( bimamobile.com )

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

-Strive Masiyiwa

AFRICAN BUSINESS ICON

-Helen Hai

Celina Kombani hatunaye tena

Waziri wa Nchi,Ofisi ya Rais Menejimenti ya Utumishi wa Umma Celina Kombani amefariki dunia nchini India alikokuwa akipatiwa matibabu 

Kwa kujibu wa taarifa zilizotufikia, Waziri Kombani ambaye pia alikuwa mgombea ubunge jimbo la Ulanga Mashariki kupitia chama cha Mapinduzi, mwili wake utawasili nchini Jumamosi ya Septemba 26 mwaka huu

Mtandao huu wa SimbayaBlog, tunatoa pole kwa familia ya marehemu, wananchi wa jimbo lake na taifa kwa ujumla kwa msiba huu.

Pumzika kwa amani kiongozi wetu.

Stampede kills more than 700 at Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca

(CNN)A stampede during one of the last rituals of the Hajj -- the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca -- has killed more than 700 people and injured nearly 900 others in Saudi Arabia.

The stampede occurred Thursday morning during the ritual known as "stoning the devil" in a tent city in Mina, about two miles from the holy site in Mecca, Islam's holiest city.

Hajj stampede tragedy kills at least 717 pilgrims 01:54

Footage obtained by CNN Arabic shows a disturbing scene. Bodies piled upon bodies, a few moving, but most appearing lifeless. Workers in hard hats and reflective vests can be seen pulling dead bodies away to get to those who are still alive.

The video captures the cacophony of shouts amid the chaos.

Ethar El-Katatney, a pilgrim who was near the stampede site about five hours after the surge happened, said she walked past ambulances carrying bodies of victims. She said she saw numerous police officers and medical personnel in the area.

Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca 01:39

"I saw the ambulances, I saw bodies. ... At least 20, 30 ambulances passed me by," she told CNN by phone.

Hundreds have been killed in past years during the same ceremony, and it comes only 13 days after a crane collapse killed more than 100 people at another major Islamic holy site, the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

The incident is the deadliest disaster at Mina since 1990, when 1,426 people died.

Civil defense authorities said the latest death toll is 717, with 863 people injured, but the numbers have been climbing steadily. Officials deployed 4,000 workers, along with 220 ambulances and other vehicles, to Mina in response to the disaster.

In the ritual, crowds of pilgrims throw stones at three pillars in a re-enactment of when the Prophet Abraham stoned the devil and rejected his temptations, according to Muslim traditions.

Crown Prince Mohammad bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz held an emergency meeting to discuss the stampede, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

He ordered an inquiry.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud later ordered a review of the country's plans during Hajj.

"Regardless of the investigation results, the improvement of the methods and mechanisms of the Hajj season will not stop. We have instructed the concerned entities to re-evaluate the current policy and the distribution of responsibilities," he said.

In Thursday's stampede, pilgrims were walking toward the largest of the pillars when there was a sudden surge in the crowd about 9 a.m., causing a large number of people to fall, the Saudi Press Agency said, citing civil defense officials.

Opinion: How to stay safe in mass gatherings

Information on what led to the surge wasn't immediately available.

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

A man searches for a relative injured in the stampede. During the ritual, pilgrims throw stones at three pillars in a re-enactment of the prophet Abraham stoning the devil and rejecting temptation.

Hide Caption

5 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Bodies lie covered in sheets at the site of the stampede. Hundreds have been killed in previous years during the same ceremony.

Hide Caption

6 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Saudi emergency personnel load a wounded pilgrim into an ambulance.

Hide Caption

7 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Muslim pilgrims and rescuers walk near bodies of victims. The death toll has been climbing steadily.

Hide Caption

8 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Saudi emergency personnel carry an injured person.

Hide Caption

9 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Saudi emergency personnel carry a body at the site of a stampede Thursday, September 24, in Mina, near Mecca, Islam's holiest city. Thursday morning's stampede killed hundreds during one of the last rituals of theHajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

Hide Caption

1 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Pilgrims were walking toward the largest of the pillars when there was a sudden surge in the crowd about 9 a.m., causing a large number of people to fall, the Saudi Press Agency said, citing civil defense officials.

Hide Caption

2 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Emergency workers stand near victims of the stampede in Mina.

Hide Caption

3 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Muslim pilgrims and rescuers gather around bodies of victims in Mina. In addition to the deaths, hundreds were hurt when there was a surge in the crowd during the ritual known as "stoning the devil," causing a large number of people to fall, the state-run Saudi Press Agency said.

Hide Caption

4 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

A man searches for a relative injured in the stampede. During the ritual, pilgrims throw stones at three pillars in a re-enactment of the prophet Abraham stoning the devil and rejecting temptation.

Hide Caption

5 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Bodies lie covered in sheets at the site of the stampede. Hundreds have been killed in previous years during the same ceremony.

Hide Caption

6 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Saudi emergency personnel load a wounded pilgrim into an ambulance.

Hide Caption

7 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Muslim pilgrims and rescuers walk near bodies of victims. The death toll has been climbing steadily.

Hide Caption

8 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Saudi emergency personnel carry an injured person.

Hide Caption

9 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Saudi emergency personnel carry a body at the site of a stampede Thursday, September 24, in Mina, near Mecca, Islam's holiest city. Thursday morning's stampede killed hundreds during one of the last rituals of theHajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

Hide Caption

1 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Pilgrims were walking toward the largest of the pillars when there was a sudden surge in the crowd about 9 a.m., causing a large number of people to fall, the Saudi Press Agency said, citing civil defense officials.

Hide Caption

2 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Emergency workers stand near victims of the stampede in Mina.

Hide Caption

3 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

Muslim pilgrims and rescuers gather around bodies of victims in Mina. In addition to the deaths, hundreds were hurt when there was a surge in the crowd during the ritual known as "stoning the devil," causing a large number of people to fall, the state-run Saudi Press Agency said.

Hide Caption

4 of 9

9 photos: Hundreds killed in Hajj stampede

A man searches for a relative injured in the stampede. During the ritual, pilgrims throw stones at three pillars in a re-enactment of the prophet Abraham stoning the devil and rejecting temptation.

Hide Caption

5 of 9

A risky pilgrimage

The ceremony was the scene of stampedes and hundreds of deaths in the 1980s and 1990s as pilgrims passed a crowded bottleneck area leading to the small pillars on the ground.

In 2006, a stampede there killed at least 363 people.

After that, the Saudi government erected three massive pillars and completed a $1.2 billion, five-story bridge nearby where pilgrims can toss stones. It was meant to be a roomier atmosphere and a more efficient way to accommodate the faithful.

Speaking at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, Pope Francis offered words of comfort during evening prayers.

"I have two feelings for my Islamic brothers. First my greeting for being today the day of the sacrifice. I would have liked that my greetings would have been warmer," he said.

"A second feeling is my closeness, my closeness with the tragedy that its people have suffered today in Mecca. In this moment of prayers, I join and we join them."

5 things to know about the Hajj stampede

The ritual

The stoning ritual is done over at least two days. Pilgrims stone the three pillars at Mina -- believed to be where the devil was stoned when he tried to dissuade Abraham from obeying God's orders to slaughter his son. According to tradition, the event was a test from God, who gave Abraham a ram to slaughter instead.

Thursday was the third day of the Hajj.

On September 11, just days before this year's Hajj started, a construction crane crashed through the roof of another Hajj destination, the Grand Mosque in Mecca, killing 107 people. At least 238 others suffered injuries when a powerful storm toppled the crane.

Losing one's life during the Hajj season is considered by many devout Muslims as an entry to heaven.

A spiritual climax

More than 2 million Muslims from around the world are attending the annual Hajj pilgrimage this year.

8 photos: The Hajj: Muslims gather for annual pilgrimage

Known as the fifth pillar of Islam, the Hajj is an obligation upon every Muslim who has the financial means and the physical ability to perform it. For most, it is the spiritual climax of their lives, with many saving for decades to make the journey.

The pilgrimage, conducted over five days, includes detailed rituals such as wearing a special white garment that symbolizes human equality and unity before God; a circular procession around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, surrounded by Mecca's Grand Mosque; and the symbolic stoning.

It was also a tragic day for Muslims in Yemen on Thursday, where at least 29 people attending Eid prayers died when a bomb went off inside a crowded mosque in Sanaa.

CNN's Don Melvin, Kristi Ramsay and Jason Hanna contributed to this report.