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Tuesday, February 17, 2015 | azizahmagazine.com

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Th e A rt of Hajj by Ve ne tia Porte r

The Art of Hajj

by Venetia Porter
Reviewed by Kelly Crosby
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Its that time of year when millions of Muslims make their way to the holy city of Makkah to perform the annual rites of Hajj. There, pilgrims visit the Kaaba,
(The House of Allah, built by Prophet Abraham) and run back and forth between the hills of Safa and Marwah in the footsteps of Hajar, mother of Prophet
Ismail. Having entered the sacred state and dressed in simple, white, ihram clothing, pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba, then travel from Makkah to the
important sites of Mina, Mount Arafat and Muzdalifah, to complete the fifth pillar of their faith.
Throughout the valley, the cry resounds, Labayk Allahuma Labayk Labayk. La shareeka laka Labayk. Innal hamda wannimata laka wal mulk. La shareeka
Lak. (Here I am at your service, oh Lord, here I am, here I am. You have no partners. Here I am. Truly the praise and the favor are Yours, and the dominion.
You have no partners).
This incredible journey has been documented in words, on film and through works of art. The Art of Hajj is a beautiful book that focuses on the experience of
the Muslims ultimate pilgrimage. Venetia Porter, curator of Islamic and Modern Middle Eastern art at the British Museum, has produced this lovely work
detailing Hajj throughout the ages. She documents the history of the sacred pilgrimage through images of ancient maps, illuminated manuscripts and brightly
colored textiles, introducing readers to masterpiece paintings ranging from Middle Eastern art to 20th century prints of hajjis wearing beautiful ihrams.
The book is a masterful blend of photography, mapmaking, calligraphy, astronomy, and geography. I was impressed, not only with the beautiful images, but with
the depiction of Islams marriage of the arts and sciences. This small book, illustrating how one of the most famous pillars of Islam is one of the many expressions
of a divine connection between Allah and His servant, also shows how Islam throughout the ages has been a religion that attempts to unite faith and reason, art
and science, and the heart and mind.
The Art of Hajj is a great coffee table book to introduce, not only the rites of Hajj, but to show readers how various cultures have viewed the journey and the
performance of the holy rites. It makes a great Eid gift for returning pilgrimages and serves as a useful reference for students learning about Islam. You can
purchase this wonderful work at www.interlinkbooks.com or www.amazon.com.

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