About Pilgrimage Trave - Essay Example

“The Importance of Pilgrimage and How it Influences Travel Industry” Introduction Based on thepoint-of-view of religious groups, a pilgrimage is referring to the process of going through a long journey to a sacred place where the gods or heroes were believed to be born and/or have died. (Jarrett) As a sign of respect for Muslim people, Mecca is closed to all non-Muslims during the pilgrimage celebration. (Rosenberg) Aside from providing some statistical information about the pilgrimage travel that occurs in Mecca, the student will also discuss about the social and historical context of the pilgrimage to Mecca as well as the impact of this activity on the form and function of the place today will be highlighted in this study. Statistical Information on the Pilgrimage Travel As compared with the 1.3 billion estimated individuals who are practicing the Muslim religion around the world (Tindall), roughly 2 million Muslims went to the pilgrimage to Mecca (Mekkah) in Saudi Arabia back in 1999. (Robinson; Rosenberg) Appproximately 1 million Muslims who regularly participate in the pilgrimage travel in Mecca were the local people in Saudi Arabia. (Robinson) The number of American Muslims alone who have gone to the pilgrimage to Mecca has significantly increased over the years. As much as 6,000 American Muslims have visited the pilgrimage to Mecca in 1999 as compared to 10,000 individuals back in 2006. (Robinson) Aside from the American Muslims, Muslims from different countries like Indonesia, China, Spain, Morocco, and West Africa also participate in the journey to Mecca at least once a year. (Places of Peace and Power) The number of pilgrimage travel to Mecca is not limited to the Hajji tradition which is being celebrated annually. In fact, as much as 4 million pilgrims arrives at Mecca each month (Tindall) and over 1 billion Muslims around the world visit the Holy place to dedicate prayers at least five times each day (Hillman). Geographical Location Pilgrimage to Mecca is located at the Western region of Arabian Peninsula in the Sirat Mountains of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia roughly 45 miles inland from the Red Seaport of Jeddah. (Places of Peace and Power; Rosenberg; Tindall) (See Appendix I – Geographical Location of Mecca on page 6) Social and Historical Context of the Pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia Because of the yearly Hajj pilgrimage traditional celebration as the fifth Muslim practice based on the ‘Five Pillars of Islam’ during the month of Dhu’l-Hijja (Places of Peace and Power; Tindall), Mecca also known as Makkah or Makkah Al-Mukarramah is currently considered as the holy city of Islam. (Rosenberg) There has been a lot of religious point-of-views that made Makkah a Holy Place today. Based on the Ancient Arabian traditions, Adam and Eve were separated 200 years with Adam on the mountain of the island of Serendip which is located in Sri Lanka whereas Eve was at the border of the Red Sea close to the port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. (Places of Peace and Power) Eventually, God allowed them to meet at Mt. Arafat which is located in the city of Mecca where a shrine was built. It was also believed that Adam was buried in Mecca at the time he past-away. (Places of Peace and Power; Tindall) It was also noted that the history of Mecca started when Ibrahim or Abraham and his son Ishmael built the Holy Mosque known as Kaaba, Ka’aba or Qabaa back in 2000 BC. (The Saudi Network) Since Kaaba became a storehouse for idols and tribal gods that Arabia’s nomadic tribes had considered (Places of Peace and Power; The Saudi Network), the tradition of praying together at the Holy Mosque was formed. (See Appendix II – Holy Mosque in Makkah on page 7 – 8) Aside from the historical events associated with the pilgrimage of Mecca, the fact that the place was where Prophet Mohammed – the founder of Islam was born contributed a lot to the holy image of the city. (Places of Peace and Power; Rosenberg) As part of introducing Islamic religion to the Muslim people, Muhammad took the initiative to destroy all pagan idols that was stored in Kaaba. (Tindall) Instead, Muhammad invited the people to join the Hajj pilgrimage to Mt. Arafat which has became a tradition up to the present time. (Places of Peace and Power; Tindall) As a religious tradition, the Muslims go to Mecca to perform their daily prayers. These people believe that actively participating in the Pilgrimage of Mecca is a form of spiritual renewal which could make them pay all their sins and wrong doings. (Sacred Destinations) Impact of Pilgrimage to Mecca on the Form and Function of the Place Today Because of the large number of Muslims that visits the pilgrimage of Mecca during the annual Hajji tradition; the government of Saudi Arabia strongly support not only the logistical planning on hotel services within the city but also in managing the challenges associated with the security and safety of the people who visits the Holy place. (Rosenberg; Tindall) In relation with the need to preserve the Holiness of the city, the continuous development and modernization of the place has been considered a serious threat in losing the historical Islamic buildings that are currently situated around the holy city. (Tindall) In order to cater the needs of the people who visit the Holy city, King Abdullah publicly announced spending as much as SR 35 billion for the construction of six major projects around the Grand Mosque. (Ain-Al-Yaqeen) These major projects that will provide the pilgrims with temporary housing and prayer facilities include: (1) Jabal Omar residential towers; (2) five-star hotels; (3) commercial centers; (4) prayer facilities; (5) Ajyad General Hospital; and (6) improvements in the transport systems among others. Conclusion Considering that the Pilgrimage to Mecca invites as much as 2 million pilgrims around the world for the annual Hajji traditional celebration alone aside from the fact that between 4 million to 1 billion Muslim pilgrims arrives at Mecca to dedicate prayers at least five times each day (Hillman; Tindall), this event is considered as an important religious event that contributes to the success and profitability of the travel industry within the global markets. For this reason, Saudi government should exert effort in preserving the Holiness of the city. References: "Ain-Al-Yaqeen." 12 November 2004. The Crown Prince Launches a Number of Major Development Projects in Makkah Al Mukkaramah. 16 August 2008 . Hillman, Howard. "Hillman Wonders of the World." 2008. Mecca: Wonder in Saudi Arabia. 16 August 2008 . Jarrett, Bede. 1911. Pilgrimages." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 12. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 16 August 2008 . "Places of Peace and Power." 2008. Mecca, Saudi Arabia. 16 August 2008 . Robinson, B.A. "Religious Tolerance." 13 December 2006. About Islam: THE HAJJ: PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA. 17 August 2008 . Rosenberg, Matt. "About." 2008. Mecca: Holy Pilgrimage Site for Muslims. 16 August 2008 . "Sacred Destinations." 2008. Mecca. 16 August 2008 . "The Saudi Network." 2008. Makkah Al-Mukkaramah. 16 August 2008 . Tindall, Ashley. "Sacred Land Film Project." November 2006. Mecca, Saudi Arabia. 16 August 2008 . Appendix I – Geographical Location of Mecca Source: Sacred Destinations, 2008 Source: Makkah Al-Mukkarramah, 2008 Appendix II – Holy Mosque in Makkah Source: The Saudi Network, 2008 Source: Places of Peace and Power, 2008 Source: Places of Peace and Power, 2008 Read More