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, and Isatu Wurie, 65, died on the annual five-day pilgrimage as temperatures soared over 120 degrees.
They were walking for over two hours in scorching temperatures before they succumbed to heat stroke, BBC reports.
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 two hours to get to Mount Arafat, which is part of the Hajj process.
They weren’t 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 and pushed to what they wanted to do because of their religion.
It’s something that they wanted to do their entire lives. They were beyond excited,” she said.
Saudi officials said on Sunday that more than 1,300 people died during the Hajj, which Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lifetimes.
