Throwing stones at "Satan" is part of the Moslem Hajj ritual, and the American president and Israel's and England's prime ministers are this year's Satan for Moslems. One of the Egyptian pilgrims to Mecca explained, "Satan is Bush, Sharon and Blair, and this is how we take our anger against them, by throwing small stones.



A British Moslem activist said in agreement, "At the time I throw the small stones. I couldn't help but think about Bush, Blair and Sharon.



One Arab newspaper reported the three targets are among others who are considered "oppressors of Moslems."