A Maryland couple was among the over 1,300 people who died from extreme heat during the Hajj pilgrimage in the Middle East.
U.S. Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that Alhaji Alieu Dausy and Haja Isatu Wurie died during their trip to Saudi Arabia.
Alsobrooks mentioned that the couple were very involved in their community. Haja Isatu Wurie had volunteered for Alsobrooks’ campaign.
“Alhaji Alieu Dausy and Haja Isatu Wurie passed away during their pilgrimage to Mecca due to severe heat,” Alsobrooks said. “Haja Isatu Wurie was very active in our community, contributing significantly both locally and globally. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to their families during this difficult time. Their loss is immense, and they will be deeply missed.”
The couple, from Bowie, likely died of heat stroke in temperatures over 110 degrees in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
“All we know is that it was natural causes, possibly heat stroke due to the 110-degree temperatures,” their daughter Saida Wurie told CNN. “There were millions of people walking long hours. It’s likely my parents died from heat stroke.”
Every Muslim is required to make the Hajj once in their life if they are physically and financially able. Many wealthy Muslims make the pilgrimage more than once. The Hajj rituals commemorate the stories of Prophet Ibrahim, his son Prophet Ismail, Ismail’s mother Hajar, and Prophet Muhammad.
According to CBS News, the Hajj, determined by the lunar Islamic calendar, happened during the hot Saudi summer this year.
Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims try to perform the Hajj without official permits because they can’t afford the expensive official permits. This group is more vulnerable to the heat since they can’t access air-conditioned areas provided for the 1.8 million authorized pilgrims to cool down after walking and praying outside.
Saida Wurie said her parents saved their entire lives for this trip.
“They saved around $11,500 per person for this journey,” she said. “They didn’t get proper preparation or documents. It was a nightmare trip.”