Inflation and economic crises strain pilgrims in this year's Hajj, putting it out of reach for some

Global inflation over the past year has hiked prices for Islam's Hajj pilgrimage dramatically. On top of that, multiple countries, including some with the world’s biggest Muslim populations, are suffering economic crises. Some nations have seen dizzying plunges in the values of their currencies. That has put a strain on pilgrims coming from around the world to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the start of some of Islam's holiest rites next week. With people balking at the cost, a few countries struggled to fill their quota of pilgrims this year, a startling sign when demand usually outstrips the supply of pilgrimage spots many times over.