School of Social and Political Science

Description

This talk, organised by Religion and Public Life Research Cluster in Social Anthropology, explores the role of local pilgrimage practices among Muslims who are unable to perform the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, focusing on marginalised groups, including those facing economic hardships and political disadvantage. While Hajj is a central religious obligation in Islam, as one of the religion's five pillars, financial, logistical, and geopolitical barriers often render it inaccessible to many. Despite orthodox Islamic prohibitions against alternative pilgrimage sites, local practices persist, particularly in contested regions. Drawing on ethnographic research in Morocco and exploratory one in Indonesia, this talk frames Islam as a lived religion to examine how local pilgrimages offer alternative pathways to both religious practice and social interaction among pilgrims. 

Speaker: Dr Kholoud al-Ajarma, Alwaleed Lecturer in the Globalised Muslim World and Deputy Director of the Alwaleed Centre.  

The talk, followed by discussion, will take place in CMB Seminar Room 1 on Tuesday 18 February from 1pm - 2:30pm. 

All are welcome.