Mecca
A glimpse of Ramadan around the world
By Sally Morrow — June 8, 2016
(RNS) A slideshow of Ramadan observed as a time of prayer and reflection, and typically large evening meals featuring specialty foods which vary across cultures.
PHOTOS: The Shiite pilgrimage Arbaeen
By Jerome Socolovsky — December 3, 2015
(RNS) Drawing an estimated 17 million pilgrims, the Shiite ritual known as Arbaeen dwarfs even the hajj. Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period after the anniversary of the seventh-century slaying of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, which engendered the Sunni-Shiite schism.
Saudi suggests pilgrims to blame for hajj deaths; Iran blames ‘incompetent’ Saudi
By Reuters — September 25, 2015
(Reuters) Saudi Arabia's regional rival Iran expressed outrage at the deaths of 131 of its nationals at the world's largest annual gathering of people while politicians in Tehran suggested Riyadh was incapable of managing the event.
Hundreds perish in deadliest hajj stampede in years
By Reuters — September 24, 2015
At least 717 pilgrims were killed Thursday on the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha in a crush at Mina outside the holy city of Mecca.
Crane crash at Mecca’s Grand Mosque kills 87, injures hundreds
By Reuters — September 11, 2015
(REUTERS) Al Arabiya television said the crane fell because of recent, strong sand storms. The accident happened just weeks before Mecca will be thronged with Haj pilgrims.
Gay Muslim films secret pilgrimage in ‘A Sinner in Mecca’
By Rachel Lowry — September 10, 2015
NEW YORK (RNS) Authorities in Mecca prohibit camera use at holy sites. Openly gay men are subject to the death penalty. But none of that deterred Parvez Sharma.
Gay Muslim filmmaker risks death in pilgrimage to reconcile faith and sexuality
By Reuters — June 9, 2015
LONDON (Reuters) Millions of Muslims each year make the arduous and exhausting hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, but for one filmmaker, it was a journey that could have cost him his life.
‘Sacred Journeys’ weds new pilgrims to old paths
By Kimberly Winston — December 12, 2014
(RNS) Popular pilgrimage features protagonists who go on long, transformational journeys of both feet and faith. It is that transformational nature that separates pilgrimage from travel -- pilgrimage is a vocation, not a vacation.
US Muslims ask John Kerry for protection on Mecca pilgrimage
By Lauren Markoe — August 27, 2014
(RNS) After last year's attack on U.S. citizens in Mecca, a coalition is petitioning the State Department to better protect pilgrims who undertake the Muslim hajj.
Faithful flock to Saudia Arabia’s Grand Mosque during Hajj
By Mary Herndon — June 16, 2014
Every year, millions of people visit the Al-Masjid Al-Haram mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Also known as the Sacred Mosque or the Grand Mosque, it houses several important Muslim artifacts, including the Black Stone, the Kaaba and the Zamzam Well. The pilgrimage to Mecca, called Hajj, is one of the five pillars of Islam and […]
Lost on the hajj? There’s an app for that
By Omar Sacirbey — October 11, 2013
(RNS) People making the Muslim pilgrimage, which falls Oct. 13-18, can get lost along a circuit of rituals that covers several miles. Fortunately, there's an app for that. Several, actually.
Photo Slideshow: Prayer in a Mosque
By Sally Morrow — January 9, 2013
Click on any image to see photo slideshow.
Pork-free vaccine wins cheers from Hajj pilgrims
By Omar Sacirbey — October 18, 2012
(RNS) The nearly 3 million Muslims who will make next week’s annual hajj pilgrimage to the sacred Saudi Arabian city of Mecca are required to be vaccinated against meningitis. Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis claims to have developed, in 2010, the first anti-meningitis vaccine without pork, which Muslims are forbidden to consume under Islamic law. Many […]
New Muslim prayer mat sheds light when facing Mecca
By Lauren Markoe — July 11, 2012
(RNS) A new prayer mat lights up when facing Mecca, helping Muslims to pray properly. By Lauren Markoe.
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