In Mecca, a fortunate few pray for a pandemic-free world

In years before the coronavirus, some three million white-clad pilgrims from across the world flocked to Islam's holiest sites to attend the haj under Saudi Arabia's blistering sun.

With the pandemic making large gatherings impossible, only a few thousand pilgrims - Saudis and foreign residents - are gathering this year on Mount Mercy on the plains of Arafat for the most important ritual. They share a common plea...