Even without the threat of terrorism, the Hajj is a dangerous undertaking. The Saud government, despite the fact that it has been responsible for managing the Hajj since the 1930s, has not yet been able to get the logistics coordinated. This is, in part, due to general apathy and negligence. Last year, when 251 pilgrims were trampled to death during a common Hajj ritual, Interior Minister Prince Nayef, responsible for domestic security, dismissively said that those who were killed ?met their fate because their place and time of death had been decided the moment they were born.” He, then, declared the Hajj season ?a great success,? adding, ?those who say otherwise are ungrateful or hate this country,” according to the BBC.

Such a degree of apathy over the safety of pilgrims by the man in charge of national security is not reassuring. Hajj is an extremely chaotic time, as more than two million people descend en masse upon the Kingdom. It would be relatively easy for anyone who wanted to wreak havoc to do so. But to what end? Although it would be easy to attack and kill a large number of Hajj pilgrims, terrorists do not have an incentive to do so, as it is largely common Muslims who make up the Hajj, not the Saud princes who have become terrorists? main targets in the Kingdom. Al-Qaeda should be content to sit back and watch the Saud government embarrass itself, yet again, by demonstrating zero logistical and organizational capability and a blatant lack of concern for its guests.