Tuesday, June 25, 2024 Last week’s pilgrimage to Mecca, a fundamental Islamic ritual, concluded tragically with the deaths of 1,301 participants due to extreme heat exceeding 124 degrees Fahrenheit. Saudi Arabia ’s Health Minister, Fahad Al-Jalajel, attributed these deaths primarily to the intense sun exposure and inadequate provisions for the pilgrims who were walking extensive distances. A significant portion of the deceased, over 650, were from Egypt, with at least two American fatalities reported.
Among the American victims were Alieu Dausy Wurie, 71, and his wife Isatu Tejan Wurie, 65, from Maryland. The couple had invested $23,000 in a comprehensive travel package, yet faced critical challenges, including improper transportation arrangements and lack of valid pilgrimage credentials, as reported by their daughter to CNN. The issue of unregistered pilgrims also surfaced in Egypt, where officials are taking legal action against 16 tourism companies.
These companies allegedly misled pilgrims with personal visit visas unsuitable for entering Mecca, resulting in the revocation of their licenses and legal repercussions for their operators. Jordanian authorities have similarly detained several travel agents for arranging unauthorized pilgrim travels, highlighting ongoing concerns over the safety and regulation of this sacred journey. Historically, the Hajj has been marred by other disasters, including multiple deadly stampedes in 2015, 1990, and 1994, and other tragic incid.
