Hajj Travel Tests Patience, Expectations

Muslim-Americans Create Niche Travel Market for Hajj

This week's RNS full-text article, linked above, looks at the Hajj, Islam's annual six-day pilgrimage to Mecca, and the niche travel market that rite has created.

It can be a trying time for travelers, especially American Muslims:

"The problem with customers is expectations. Customers, especially from America, have high expectations," Gaddoor said. "Customers come to me and say 'can you promise me a trouble-free Hajj?' And I say no, I would be lying. But that's part of Hajj -- sacrifice, patience."