Jeddah, Jan 5, For the ninth consecutive year, CNN will present in-depth, live coverage of the Hajj, Arab News reported today.
Nearly 1.5 million pilgrims from around world have already arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the annual pilgrimage. More than 2.5 million Muslims are expected to perform Hajj rituals this year.
CNN anchor Hala Gorani will present live updates and reports from the Hajj for six days beginning Saturday. In addition, CNN will broadcast a half-hour special "Hajj: The Essential Journey" on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., presented by CNN's Zain Verjee.
In "Hajj: The Essential Journey," distinguished scholars explain the importance of the sacred rituals, and pilgrims from around the world share their personal stories along the road to Makkah and other holy places.
"The Hajj is a deeply personal journey for those who perform it but also an event of global significance for the more than one billion Muslims around the world. This coverage, which represents a significant logistical operation for CNN, reflects our commitment to the region and to offering our viewers unrivaled coverage of world events," Rena Golden, senior vice president of CNN International, said in a communication. "The dispatches and reporting surrounding the Hajj provide a deeper, more nuanced look into one of the pillars at the heart of the religion."
