The Hadj

The Hadj, or sacred journey, is the pilgrimage to the House of God at Mecca that all Muslims are entreated to make once in their lifetime. One of the world's longest-lived rites, having continued without a break for over 1400 years, it is shrouded in mystery for Westeners. In this book an American, converted to Islam, recounts his own journey as a pilgrim and in doing so brings readers close to the heart of what the pilgrimage means to a member of the religion that claims one-sixth of the world's population. The author's journey began in Tangier and ended four months later when he ascended the Hill of Light and stepped inside the Ghar Hira, held to be the cave where Gabriel first spoke to Mohammed. The author travels across Muslim Africa, meeting and talking with people, worshipping at local mosques, visiting the old medinas, learning of the modern as well as the ancient history of the beautiful desert landscape he passes through.