The hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims, located in Saudi Arabia.
一年一度的伊斯兰朝觐,在位于沙特阿拉伯的、穆斯林最神圣的城市麦加举行。
The pilgrimage is a mandatory religious duty that must be carried out by all adult Muslims at least once in their lifetime, who are physically and financially capable of making the trip.
朝觐是一项强制性的宗教义务,所有身体健康、经济良好的成年穆斯林,在其一生中必须至少参加一次朝觐活动。
However, this year's hajj, which ran from June 14th to 19th, turned deadly, as Saudi Arabia says over 1,300 people died during the six-day pilgrimage period this year.
但是从6月14日持续到19日的今年的朝觐,却闹出了人命,沙特阿拉伯方面称,在为期6天的朝觐期间,共有超过1300人死亡。
Releasing the official figures for the first time, the government said Sunday that 1,301 pilgrims died, mostly due to "heat stress."
周日,政府首次公布官方数据,称1301名朝圣者死亡,主要是由于“热应激”。
Temperatures above 51 degrees Celsius were recorded during this period, with many people walking long distances under direct sunlight, without adequate shelter or comfort.
在朝觐期间,平均气温超过了51摄氏度,许多人在没有足够的遮挡或舒适的设施的情况下,在阳光直射下长途跋涉。
Of the dead, 83 percent were not authorized to make the pilgrimage.
在所有死者当中,83%的人是没有得到朝圣的许可的。
Saudi Arabia requires licenses to legally access Mecca, with 1.8 million issued each year.
沙特阿拉伯每年会发放180万张许可证,以要求朝圣者合法进入麦加。
As licenses can cost several thousand U.S. dollars, many make unauthorized pilgrimages.
但由于许可证的费用达到了数千美元,所以很多人进行的是未经许可的朝圣。
Those without proper documents don't travel in organized tour buses with air conditioning or easy access to water and food supplies.
这些未购买许可证的朝圣者没能搭乘有空调的旅游巴士,取得饮水、食物补给也不容易。
The permits are allocated to countries on a quota system, and are distributed through a lottery.
据悉,朝觐许可证按配额制度分配给国家,并以抽签方式分配给个人。