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Along the Pilgrimage Routes
Then as now the pilgrimage facilitated meetings and exchanges among Muslims from all over the ummah, or Islamic world. Over the centuries many pilgrims stayed and contributed to the hybrid of cultures in the Hijaz. Todays routes of pilgrimage, follow land and sea routes, as well as the more direct flights.
Photo above: Muslim pilgrims pray inside the Grand Mosque, with the Mecca Clock in the background, on the second day of the fasting month of Ramadan in Mecca August 12, 2010. The giant clock on a skyscraper in Islam’s holiest city Mecca began ticking on Wednesday at the start of the fasting month of Ramadan, amid hopes by Saudi Arabia that it will become the Muslim world’s official timekeeper. (REUTERS/Hassan Ali) http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/08/ramadan_2010.html
Al-Rabadha
Al-Rabadha was one of the principal stops along the Iraki route to Mecca. Situated 200km east of Mecca, it is mentioned in the writings of numerous early historians and geographers. Al-Rabadha rose to prominence in the 7th century, and reached its height in the 9th. It declined and was abandoned in the 10th century after a change in routing due to security problems. Archeological digs begun in 1979 uncovered the remains of this once important stop over for hajj pilgrims.
Al-Mâbiyât
Al-Mabiyat was a major stop for pilgrims along the Syrian route, and was also uncovered by recent archeological digs near the ancient site of Al-Ula. It was mentioned in ancient Arabic texts as the city of Qurh. Its greatest periods were during the 9th-10th centuries and again in the 12th, after which it too was abandoned.
Artifacts typical of these Hijazi sites are pictured below. Generally the artifacts unearthed here show the importation of ceramics, and artisanal objects by both merchants and pilgrims.
The Funeral Steles of Al-Ma’la Cemetery
Early grave markers, carved stone steles, at the Cemetery of Al-Ma’la, originally north of Mecca, hundreds of them, gave the names and some personal history of important early personages of Islam and local elites, along with religious quotations, and sometimes a poem or a message to passersby. The steles date from the 9th to 16th centuries, and have been found all along the crest of the corniche above Mecca. They are themselves works of Arabic and Islamic art, and collectively form a history of calligraphic art in the region. The Al-Ma’la Cemetery was itself an important stop for early pilgrims.
Mecca
As Islam advanced, Mecca became a centre of power, and wealth. The Ummayid, Abbassid, and Fatimid dynasties, followed by the Mamluks and the Ottomans contributed prestigious embellishments of the Holy Sites. Pictures of some of the ornate and precious key hole plaques, door faces, incense burners, and carvings follow. Silks, worked metal lamps and chandeliers, as well as support for the pilgrims and the locals were other common gifts.
Photo: Gold plated Ottoman door of the Kaaba, since replaced
Photo: Keyhole of the Prophet’s house
Photo: Incense burner
Photo: Inscription in the name of Solimon
source: http://www.chezchiara.com/
18.05.12 - 08:05:00
Edward, have you seen the film? Were you already fliiamar with the Camino prior to the film? I definitely agree with some of what I think you are saying. But I’m not sure if I’m catching your meaning clearly. I do think that one aspect of the Camino experience is about getting out of your own comfort zone to face what’s inside without the distractions of your daily life. And that is a special place to be, even if, like in the film, you are facing painful life situations. You are right in that pilgrims are looking for genuine relationship, and you are right that we all can and should be looking around us to connect with people who are searching. But are you challenging the need for creating a space to interact with pilgrims and share acceptance, hope, and truth because we should be looking to help those around us? You may not be saying that, but I not completely sure.