Maryland couple among dead on Mecca pilgrimage amid extreme heat
An American couple, who finally fulfilled their lifelong dream of traveling to the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia has sadly passed away. Alieu Wurie, 71 & Isatu Wurie, 65, died on the annual 5-day pilgrimage as temperatures soared over 120 degrees
They were walking for over 2 hours in scorching temperatures before they succumbed to heat stroke. They were among the more than 1,300 people who died in extreme heat this year in Mecca, the birthplace of the prophet Muhammad
Speaking with News4 on Sunday their daughter Saida Wurie recounted her last communication with their parents. “She let me know that they had been walking for over 2 hours to get to Mount Arafat which is part of the Hajj process
They weren’t in the best of conditions. Transportation should have been provided. They paid for transportation to be provided, however, there was none. Despite everything, they still walked & pushed to what they wanted to do because of their religion. It’s something that they wanted to do their entire lives
