Art journal #147: Hajj Journal to the heart of Islam @ British Museum

Had always been fascinating by Middle East culture esp after the many trips to the region (maybe even 'too often' - have done Turkey, Jordan, Egypt in last few years). BM did a solid job in showing how the Hajj was 'one of five pillars of Islam central to Muslim belief....it is the pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim must make at least once in their lifetime if they are able'. The 3m people (out of 1.6bn Muslims) that travel half way cross the globe to Hajj makes it the 'largest peaceful gathering of mankind' annually.

And of course the contemporary art displays (with installations, drawings etc) adds a great dimension to what would have been 'just' a NatGeo type of exhibition! Very smart of BM to have done so.