Prince hails Hajj exhibition 'remarkable' (From Asian Image)

Prince hails Hajj exhibition 'remarkable'

10:03am Friday 27th January 2012 in News

The Prince of Wales hailed a new exhibition about the Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah as "remarkable".

Charles was welcomed to the collection at the British Museum in central London by Prince Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, the Saudi ambassador, before being given a 20-minute tour of some of the key exhibits, which include one of the oldest known copies of the Koran, dating from the 8th century.

Hajj: Journey To The Heart Of Islam is the first major exhibition dedicated to the spiritual journey, which is central to the Muslim faith.

The collection of both historic and contemporary objects and artworks explores the pilgrimage's importance for Muslims and looks at how it has evolved throughout history.

It is laid down in the Quran that it is a sacred duty for Muslims to make the journey to Makkah spiritual centre of Islam, at least once in their lifetimes.

The pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, takes place during the last month of the Islamic year, known as Dhu'l Hijja.

As he was shown around the exhibition by its curators, Charles laughed as he looked at a display of the simple outfit traditionally worn by men visiting Mecca.

The Prince asked if the belt was worn "to hold the towel up", but chuckled as he was told it was actually used for men to keep their valuables in.

He described one particular exhibit, an intricately embroidered mahmal - a cover traditionally carried on a camel during the journey to Mecca from Africa - as "beautiful".

After looking round the exhibition, Charles gave a short speech describing it as a "remarkable collection of treasures".

He said: "I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to have been asked to open this splendid exhibition celebrating the Hajj, one of the five Pillars of Islam and thus of the greatest possible significance to the spiritual and temporal lives of Muslim people across the entire world."

Referring to the physical undertaking of the pilgrimage, which is carried out by 25,000 from the UK alone every year, he added: "But it also speaks of the spiritual journey to one's own heart.

"It is this integrated vision of our existence, the combination of a literal and a metaphorical pilgrimage, which joins all people of faith, reflecting the timeless nature of our creator.

"I can only pray that this exhibition will be, for all who see it, a source of education, of understanding and of delight.

"It therefore gives me the greatest pleasure to declare the British Museum's Hajj exhibition open."

Speaking after the royal visit, the exhibition's project curator, Qaisra Khan, said: "He was really impressed. It's actually a shame that we didn't have more time as he said he would have liked to have stayed and looked at more objects.

"He said it was incredibly interesting, which was brilliant.

"It's a real honour to have had him open the exhibition - I can't think of anyone more perfect."

The exhibits, which include archaeological material, manuscripts, textiles, historic photographs and contemporary art, document all aspects of the pilgrimage, which is carried out by up to three million Muslims every year.

It has been put together by the museum in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Public Library and is open to the public from tomorrow.