In Mecca, a fortunate few pray for a pandemic-free world

Muslim pilgrims enter Namira Mosque in Arafat to mark Haj's most important day, Day of Arafat, during their Haj pilgrimage amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, outside the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia July 30, 2020. (Reuters)

In years before the coronavirus, some 3 million white-clad pilgrims from across the world flocked to Islam’s holiest sites to attend haj under Saudi Arabia’s blistering sun.

With the pandemic making large gatherings impossible, only a few thousand pilgrims — Saudis and foreign residents — are gathering this year on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat for the most important ritual. They share a common plea.