DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Two Tanzanian pilgrims have lost their lives during the Hajj in the Islamic Holy City of Mecca,but none of them died of the fatal stampede.

    A local Islamic chief, Sheikh Suleiman Gorogosi, told the press that the two Tanzanian pilgrims had died out of natural causes and that he had received no information about any Tanzanian pilgrim being a victim of the stampede that claimed the lives of more than 350 people.

    The stone-throwing ritual in Mina of the Saudi Arabian city has witnessed many stampedes in the past but the number of the dead this year is the highest in 16 years, according to statistics available.

    In 2004, more than 200 pilgrims were trampled to death while performing the ritual.

    The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and every able-bodied adult Muslim is obliged to perform it at least once in their lifetime. Enditem