London: The British Museum, London will organise a unique exhibition on the Hajj from January 26 to April 15, 2012.
“Hajj: journey to the heart of Islam” will be the first major exhibition dedicated to the Hajj; the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Manuscripts, diaries, historic photographs and contemporary art will be displayed to mark the annual ritual, undertaken by Muslims throughout the world.
The museum’s director, Neil MacGregor, said the Hajj was a cultural phenomenon “that needs to be better understood”.
Every adult Muslim is meant to undertake the Hajj at least once in their life if they can afford the journey to Saudi Arabia and are physically able. Many Muslims save for years in order to perform the pilgrimage.
A wide variety of objects will be lent to the exhibition include significant material from major public and private collections in the UK and around the world.
These objects will evoke and document the long and perilous journey associated with the pilgrimage, gifts offered to the sanctuary as acts of devotion and the souvenirs that are brought back from Hajj. They will include archaeological material, manuscripts, textiles, historic photographs and contemporary art.
The Hajj has a deep emotional and spiritual significance for the world of Islam, and continues to inspire a wide range of personal, literary and artistic responses, many of which will be explored throughout the exhibition. This exhibition concludes the British Museum’s series of three exhibitions focused on spiritual journeys.
Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, said the exhibition will enable a global audience to deepen their understanding of the significance and history of the Hajj. In particular, it will allow non-Muslims to explore the one aspect of Islamic practice and faith which they are not able to witness directly, but which plays a major part in forming a worldwide Islamic consciousness.”
