Travelers making Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina brave dangerous heat

Full Episode
48:04

Muslim pilgrims wrap up the Hajj pilgrimage in the deadly summer heat, June 18, 2024.

Rafiq Maqbool/AP

The annual Muslim pilgrimage known as the Hajj isn’t just a spiritual journey; it’s physically strenuous, too. Travelers to Mecca and Medina this year have braved dangerous heat. Host Marco Werman speaks with a Muslim American who’s there right now, participating in the ritual. Plus, Polish abortion rights activists reflect on 30 years of some of the strictest abortion laws in the region just as those laws appear likely to change. And the Turkish government’s latest attempt to deal with stray dogs in cities has sparked anger in local communities. A draft law set to be debated by parliament could require cities to euthanize dogs that are not adopted within 30 days.

Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

In This Episode

Muslim pilgrims die from extreme heat during Hajj
6:22
Britain’s Conservatives facing a possible ‘wipeout’ on Election Day
5:47
Dominican Republic hails NBA champ
0:52
The fight for abortion rights in Poland
8:19
What North Korea stands to gain from Putin visit
4:29
New program will protect undocumented spouses from deportation
3:53
Palestinian arrests in the West Bank have skyrocketed
Special Coverage
4:21
The USDA suspends safety inspections of Mexican avocados over security concerns
4:27
Turkish proposal to euthanize stray dogs draws anger and protests
5:47
Group advising Austrian heiress gives away $27 million to 77 organizations
1:41