Going to Mecca by Na'ima Robert (Children's, non fiction, picture book)

 

January 2012, Frances Lincoln
pages, Hardback
Review copy

Themes: holy pilgramage, Hajj, religious ritual, purity, faith, reflection, drawing closer to Allah (God), spiritual experience

Summary from Frances Lincoln

 

We are led on the journey of a lifetime to the city of Mecca - the pilgrimage known to Muslims as the Hajj. The pilgrims walk with heads bare and feet in sandals; they call to Allah; they kiss or point to the Black Stone, as the Prophet did. Arriving at Mecca, they surge round the Ka'aba, shave their heads and travel to Mount Arafat. Finally, though their bodies are tired and aching, their spirits are uplifted, knowing that with thousands of others they have performed the sacred pilgrimage.

 

Nayuleska's thoughts
The stunningly illustrated book conveys clearly the rites involved in making Hajj (the Muslim holy pilgrimage). It covers the main rituals mandwtory for Hajj with reasons behind them and a small glossary at the back. The pictures are full of beautiful patterns and geometric designs which are part of Islamic art. The sheer scale of people who do hajj is conveyed by the number of worshippers on a page. This is a 10/10 read, especially because it includes people who need wheelchairs to get about.

Suggested read

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