Abdellah Hammoudi is visiting Professor of Anthropology, University of Princeton.
"A book of surpassing intelligence, humor, sadness and grace."
New York Times
"It is as much a subtle, complex meditation as it is an example of
the 'art of reportage'. It is a commentary on one Arab
intellectual's modern dilemmas as well as on the hajj as he
experienced it ... this struggle gives the writing much of its deep
interest."
London Review of Books "A rare glimpse into what the hajj can mean
to a pilgrim's views about faith, community, nationalism, and his
personal spiritual experience."
Middle East Journal "This hajj seen from the inside is a jewel of
wit and emotion, a reflection on Islam, and a mine of
information."
Le Monde de Religions "With a sharp observing eye for even the
smallest details of daily life, and with a critical spirit that is
always respectful but not without humour, Hammoudi leads the
Western reader through the labyrinth of this unknown, intriguing
world."
Le Monde des Livres "This is a perceptive and richly-descriptive
meditation on faith, kinship and nationality that gives a unique
insight into an event of international significance. It is conveyed
with rare personal candour, a wealth of historical and cultural
detail and moments of unexpected humour."
Tribune "Hammoudi, a Paris-educated professor of anthropology at
Princeton University, brings his worldly experiences to the most
personal of journeys: the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca (called the
hajj in Arabic). Originally written in French, this English edition
is being published to coincide with the 2006 hajj. Hammoudi is
eager to explore the academic angles of the hajj, all the while
doubting the strength of his own faith. He is constantly tested.
First, he must bribe a mid-level government official in his native
Morocco several times simply to be added to the country's quota
list of pilgrims. Upon arrival in Medina, the city of the Prophet
Muhammad, Hammoudi is stunned by the omnipresent markets hawking
everything from rugs to suitcases. Still struggling for a religious
experience, Hammoudi is angered by the Wahhabi stewards of Mecca
and Medina, who police Islam's holiest sites with irrational
Wahhabi zeal. Beset with the flu, Hammoudi still circumambulates
the Kaaba in Mecca, appreciating the rare absence of gender
segregation. Ghazaleh's translation is reminiscent of both French
eloquence and Moroccan storytelling … a mystical, almost surreal,
journey."
Publishers Weekly
"A book of surpassing intelligence, humor, sadness and grace."
New York Times
"It is as much a subtle, complex meditation as it is an example
of the 'art of reportage'. It is a commentary on one Arab
intellectual's modern dilemmas as well as on the hajj as he
experienced it ... this struggle gives the writing much of its deep
interest."
London Review of Books
"A rare glimpse into what the hajj can mean to a pilgrim's views
about faith, community, nationalism, and his personal spiritual
experience."
Middle East Journal
"This hajj seen from the inside is a jewel of wit and emotion, a
reflection on Islam, and a mine of information."
Le Monde de Religions
"With a sharp observing eye for even the smallest details of
daily life, and with a critical spirit that is always respectful
but not without humour, Hammoudi leads the Western reader through
the labyrinth of this unknown, intriguing world."
Le Monde des Livres
"This is a perceptive and richly-descriptive meditation on
faith, kinship and nationality that gives a unique insight into an
event of international significance. It is conveyed with rare
personal candour, a wealth of historical and cultural detail and
moments of unexpected humour."
Tribune
"Hammoudi, a Paris-educated professor of anthropology at
Princeton University, brings his worldly experiences to the most
personal of journeys: the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca (called the
hajj in Arabic). Originally written in French, this English edition
is being published to coincide with the 2006 hajj. Hammoudi is
eager to explore the academic angles of the hajj, all the while
doubting the strength of his own faith. He is constantly tested.
First, he must bribe a mid-level government official in his native
Morocco several times simply to be added to the country's quota
list of pilgrims. Upon arrival in Medina, the city of the Prophet
Muhammad, Hammoudi is stunned by the omnipresent markets hawking
everything from rugs to suitcases. Still struggling for a religious
experience, Hammoudi is angered by the Wahhabi stewards of Mecca
and Medina, who police Islam's holiest sites with irrational
Wahhabi zeal. Beset with the flu, Hammoudi still circumambulates
the Kaaba in Mecca, appreciating the rare absence of gender
segregation. Ghazaleh's translation is reminiscent of both French
eloquence and Moroccan storytelling ... a mystical, almost surreal,
journey."
Publishers Weekly
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