Despite the Middle East war and a U.S. government travel advisory, there was never any doubt in Fadel¡¯s mind that he would attend this year¡¯s hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

¡°Even if the war were still ongoing, I would not have backed out,¡± the 49-year-old U.S. national, who asked that only his first name be used, said.

¡°We are undoubtedly in the safest place in the world,¡± he added, referring to a passage from the Quran.