Iran war disrupts Mecca pilgrimage plans for some American Muslims because a U.S. travel alert tied to the conflict has pushed believers to weigh safety against a religious obligation that many describe as once in a lifetime. In a report from Detroit, NPR focused on how American Muslims and local clergy in the U.S. are responding as Hajj approaches.
NPR reported that for many Muslims, Hajj is a sacred obligation and a major planning milestone that culminates in travel to Saudi Arabia. But the report said the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert asking Americans to rethink travel to Saudi Arabia because of the war between Iran and the United States.
The NPR report centered on Juber Ahmed and his mother, Shamima Akther, who live in Sterling Heights, Michigan. It described how Ahmed said he and his mother’s applications were accepted after months of waiting, and that the news brought an emotional reaction. Ahmed told NPR, “Honestly, that feeling, I still can’t find the words to express. I was in tears - (speaking Bangla). And then I hugged my mom, and both of us just were in tears.”
The report said Akther, 63, sees going this year as important while she remains physically able to make the rigorous journey. It also described a conversation between her and Ahmed after an April travel alert from the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia, in which Ahmed asked her whether she wanted to postpone. Akther told NPR she felt a strong conviction to go this year, while Ahmed said he would not miss the chance.
NPR said that Hajj is mandatory for able-bodied Muslims who can afford the costs of travel at least once. The report also described how religious travel planning has been shaped by Saudi Arabia’s limits intended to prevent overcrowding, and it quoted Wahid Elfeky, a representative of the Aleman Groups USA travel agency in New York. Elfeky said, “Right now it’s - from America, it’s, like,4,000 to 5,000.”
As the Hajj season nears, the NPR report said some people have been asking Imam Steve Mustapha Elturk, co-chair of the Imams Council of Michigan, whether they should still go. The report quoted him saying, “I really encourage them. So, definitely, there’s nothing going on there in terms of war or missiles or anything of that sort.” NPR also reported his explanation that U.S. military installations in Saudi Arabia are far from the holy sites.
In Washington, D.C., NPR reported that Sana Imam is preparing to make the Hajj later this month and said she is still planning to go. The report quoted her saying she expects the spiritual transformation possible during Hajj may not be found elsewhere for many Muslims. It also described her preparation process, including physical training such as walking and stair workouts, alongside slowing down her prayers, as she prepares for the days of Hajj.
NPR said Hajj is performed between May 25 and May 30 this year, following a lunar calendar. For many of the American Muslims NPR interviewed, the report said the opportunity to perform Hajj outweighs their fear linked to the continuing war, as they prepare for the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.