The Hajj: The Muslim Pilgrimage to Mecca and the Holy Places

This is a fine academic study woven from the many writers who have recorded their experiences on hajj over its history. The only phrases which might be found objectionable to any Muslim come from the primary source readings, where a variety of viewpoints were deliberately sought. If some intruder like Richard Burton throws off a snide or irreverent comment, I think Muslims will know what to make of it. The author draws an interesting and informative history of one of humanity's greatest phenomena thru history up to the Saudi hajj of 1926. I would like to see this brought up to date.

A ruby of a work, The Hajj provides great background on the largest annual pilgrimage in the world. Peters traces the history from myth, religion, and recorded history (going back to Adam), and provides many interesting and flowing anecdotes using primary source material throughout the 1400 years of Hajj history. Here one will learn more about the steps of the pilgrimage and the layout of the Ka'ba (the building which Hajjis run around) than most Muslims know. Of particular interest is Peter's numerous stories of Hajj through Western eyes- Western Muslims, non-Muslims going to Mecca when it was still allowed, or non-Muslims sneaking into a city to make Hajj, though if they are found out it means death. The Westerner descriptions provide that etic, outsider perspective which is valuable for those of us who are not from the Middle East, as we grapple to understand religious events and customs and relate them to what we understand within ourselves and our culture.