Guests of God

Pilgrimage and Politics in the Islamic World

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Middle East Religions, Islam, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Relations
Cover of the book Guests of God by Robert Bianchi, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Robert Bianchi ISBN: 9780190291075
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: September 9, 2004
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Robert Bianchi
ISBN: 9780190291075
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: September 9, 2004
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Each year, about two million pilgrims from over 100 countries converge on the Islamic holy city of Mecca for the hajj. While the hajj is first and foremost a religious festival, it is also very much a political event. No government can resist the temptation to manipulate the hajj for political and economic gain. Every large Muslim state has developed a comprehensive hajj policy and a powerful bureaucracy to enforce it. The Muslim world's leading multinational organization, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, has established the first international regime explicitly devoted to pilgrimage. Yet, Robert Bianchi argues, no secular or religious authority - national or international - can really control the hajj. State-sponsored pilgrimage management consistently backfires, giving government opponents valuable ammunition and allowing them to manipulate the symbols and controversies of the hajj to their own ends. Bianchi has been researching the hajj for over ten years and draws on interviews with and data from hajj directors in five Muslim countries (Pakistan, Malaysia, Turkey, Indonesia, and Nigeria), statistics from Saudi Arabian hajj authorities, as well as his personal experience as a pilgrim. The result is the most complete picture of the hajj available anywhere, and a wide-ranging work on Islam, politics, and power.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Each year, about two million pilgrims from over 100 countries converge on the Islamic holy city of Mecca for the hajj. While the hajj is first and foremost a religious festival, it is also very much a political event. No government can resist the temptation to manipulate the hajj for political and economic gain. Every large Muslim state has developed a comprehensive hajj policy and a powerful bureaucracy to enforce it. The Muslim world's leading multinational organization, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, has established the first international regime explicitly devoted to pilgrimage. Yet, Robert Bianchi argues, no secular or religious authority - national or international - can really control the hajj. State-sponsored pilgrimage management consistently backfires, giving government opponents valuable ammunition and allowing them to manipulate the symbols and controversies of the hajj to their own ends. Bianchi has been researching the hajj for over ten years and draws on interviews with and data from hajj directors in five Muslim countries (Pakistan, Malaysia, Turkey, Indonesia, and Nigeria), statistics from Saudi Arabian hajj authorities, as well as his personal experience as a pilgrim. The result is the most complete picture of the hajj available anywhere, and a wide-ranging work on Islam, politics, and power.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book The Alawis of Syria by Robert Bianchi
Cover of the book 51 Imperfect Solutions by Robert Bianchi
Cover of the book A House in the Sun by Robert Bianchi
Cover of the book Shirley Homes and the Cyber Thief Level 1 Oxford Bookworms Library by Robert Bianchi
Cover of the book Copyright by Robert Bianchi
Cover of the book Who's Afraid of the WTO? by Robert Bianchi
Cover of the book Substance Use Disorders by Robert Bianchi
Cover of the book Sacred Rights by Robert Bianchi
Cover of the book Gut Reactions by Robert Bianchi
Cover of the book Stephen Spender by Robert Bianchi
Cover of the book Tantric Traditions in Transmission and Translation by Robert Bianchi
Cover of the book The Global Auction by Robert Bianchi
Cover of the book Group Creativity by Robert Bianchi
Cover of the book One Supreme Court by Robert Bianchi
Cover of the book Ordinary Democracy by Robert Bianchi
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy