America's mark on Mecca

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The annual hajj pilgrimage is beginning, and more than 1.6 million people are expected to undertake the trek to Mecca this year. I know that the pilgrims have to eat somewhere, but I really wasn't expecting KFC to be one of their options. Located outside the Grand Mosque, this KFC keeps with custom—there are separate lines for men and women and all the meat is halal (killed in accordance with Islamic law). But if you plan on eating there for this year's hajj, unless you're already in Saudi Arabia, you're out of luck. Rooms at the nearby Mecca Hilton are booked solid through the end of this year.