Hundreds died in Saudi Arabia performing the Hajj, a Houston mom was almost one of them
The Hajj (or pilgrimage) in Mecca is an arduous (and expensive) journey all Muslims aspire to undertake one day. However, hundreds died this year due to the violent heat and KPRC 2 digital producer Ahmed Humble's mother, was one of the fortunate survivors.
This year's Hajj was held in sweltering heat, and for those serving pilgrims there was little relief
Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims have walked in the footsteps of the prophets beneath a sweltering sun as contracted cleaners in lime-green jumpsuits held out matching plastic bags to collect their empty water bottles.
Very different, symbolic hajj in Saudi Arabia amid virus
Hundreds of Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, as they keep social destination to protect themselves against the coronavirus ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, July 29, 2020. During the first rites of hajj, Muslims circle the Kaaba counter-clockwise seven times while reciting supplications to God, then walk between two hills where Ibrahim's wife, Hagar, is believed to have run as she searched for water for her dying son before God brought forth a well that runs to this day.
Technology infuses ancient hajj rites amid global pandemic
General view showing the Grand Mosque, at the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Monday, July 27, 2020 ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage. Anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 pilgrims will be allowed to perform the annual hajj pilgrimage this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Right now, technology is our black horse to developing the whole hajj journey, said al-Maddah, an electronics engineer with a Ph.D. in robotics and artificial intelligence. Typically, the hajj can cost thousands of dollars for pilgrims who save for a lifetime for the journey. Al-Maddah, who sits on the hajj planning committee, said allowing people to enter Saudi Arabia from abroad would have posed a global health risk.