One woman’s Hajj pilgrimage; Philly Free Streets

Guests: Diaa Hadid, Matt Fisher

A million and half Muslims from around the world took part in the Hajj this year.  The annual pilgrimage to one of the Islam’s holiest sites, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the fifth and final pillar of the faith.  Over six days, pilgrims walk from Mecca to other holy sites and back. Along the way they perform religious rituals.  New York Times correspondent DIAA HADID performed her first Hajj this year and chronicled her experience.  Mary Cummings-Jordan talks to Hadid about her journey, the sites, the pilgrims she met, and about the religious and historical significance of the Hajj.  Then, tomorrow is the Philly Free Streets.  Ten miles of roads in Philadelphia from South Street to Fairmount Park will be closed to cars and trucks from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m and turned over to walkers and bikers.  We’ll hear about the event, Mayor Kenney’s power-walking plan and the benefits of traffic-free days from MATT FISHER, Director of Policy in the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems for the City of Philadelphia.