World Jun 04

General view of the grand mosque during Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia
4 things to know about this year’s Hajj pilgrimage

In the coming days, people will immerse themselves in religious rituals and acts of worship that originated more than 1,400 years ago. They also have to contend with earthly factors, such as excess heat.

World Jun 01

Muslims arrive ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage to the grand mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia cracks down on Hajj permits to prevent overcrowding

Saudi officials said they had stopped 269,678 people without permits from entering Mecca, and blamed overcrowding at the Hajj on unauthorized participants. It also says they made up large numbers of those who died in last year’s searing summer heat.