Hajj pilgrims: Faith and enlightenment in extreme heat

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The annual pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, is something millions of people look forward to as an immensely spiritual experience. A main pillar of Islam, Muslims try to do it at least once in their lives, if they are physically and financially able. Saudi Arabia says 1.8 million people took part in Hajj this year. It coincided with a heatwave where temperatures reached more than 50C. Some 1,300 people died, many of those due to the intense heat. On today’s edition, host James Reynolds brings together three Muslims - from Kenya, the United States and Saudi Arabia – to share their experiences of Hajj. One of our guests describes it as a “spiritual detox”. Their stories, from across the years, also cover everything from the importance of faith and enlightenment to bereavement, overcrowding and sexual harassment. Anjelica, from the US, converted to Islam at the age of 23. She got the chance to go when eight months pregnant, and it wasn’t an invitation she was going to turn down. “There were elders who were part of our Hajj group who had literally saved for 40 years to be able to make Hajj,” she said. “The experience made me feel closer to God, more firm in my faith and also a lot more patient.” A Boffin Media production in partnership with the BBC OS team. (Photo shows Ahmed Mahmoud with wife Ariege Muallem and daughter Misk during their most recent Hajj pilgrimage, June 2024. Credit: Ahmed Mahmoud)