(15 Feb 2002)
1. Wide shot and pan crowds of pilgrims at Kabul airport
2. Various shots of pilgrims
3. Group of pilgrims eating
4. Wide shot mosque and pilgrims
5. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Afghan policeman:
"They got him out from the plane and beat him up on the ground"
6. Various pilgrims
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Afghan pilgrim (speaking about transport arrangements for the hajj)
"They were not good, the Taliban period, was not good. But not bad. But before the Taliban regime, Afghanistan had very good planes for the transportation of all hajji (pilgrims) and all passengers from Kabul to other countries. They had planes. But now they don't have any good planes or good management."
8. Various pilgrims eating and preparing food
9. Pilgrim in the traditional white clothes worn by the hajji (pilgrims)
10. Various pilgrims with bags waiting for plane
11. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) eyewitness:
"The Minister of Civil Aviation came yesterday and he was responsible for arranging the flights for the hajjis (pilgrims). They were cold in their traditional clothes and they asked the minister to arrange the transfer to Mecca. The minister didn't pay any attention and the hajjis told him to resign and then the event took place."
12. Various shots of pilgrims
13. Wide shot Kabul airport and planes
14. Various planes
15. Airport control tower
16. Afghan police at site
17. Various ISAF soldiers at airport
STORYLINE:
The minister of civil aviation in the Afghan interim government was attacked and killed at Kabul airport Thursday by angry Muslim pilgrims.
According to witnesses, the pilgrims attacked Aviation Minister Abdul Rahman because they had been unable to board flights for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
Afghan government sources said Rahman was at the airport for a trip to New Delhi when the crowd swarmed around his plane after rumours that their trips to Mecca would be further delayed because the minister had taken their plane.
The sources, in Jalalabad, said on condition of anonymity that when Rahman tried to calm the crowd, he was attacked and fatally injured. Several pilgrims were injured during the clash with the minister's body guards.
The hajj to Mecca is one of the pillars of Islam. Muslims who are able-bodied and can afford the journey are obliged to do it at least once in their lifetime.
Saudi authorities are expecting up to 2.5 million people to perform the hajj this year, beginning 20 Feb.
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