The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is funding a research project at the British Museum that will underpin their forthcoming 2012 international exhibition Hajj: journey to the heart of Islam.

Hajj: journey to the heart of Islam will be the first major exhibition dedicated to the Hajj; the pilgrimage to Mecca which is central to the Muslim faith.  Sponsored by HSBC Amanah, it will examine the significance of the Hajj as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, exploring its importance for Muslims and looking at how this spiritual journey has evolved throughout history. It will bring together a  wealth of objects from a number of different collections including important historic pieces as well as new contemporary art works which reveal the enduring impact of Hajj across the globe and across the centuries. The exhibition will examine three key strands: the pilgrim’s journey with an emphasis on the major routes used across time (from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East); the Hajj today, its associated rituals and what the experience means to the pilgrim; and Mecca, the destination of Hajj, its origins and importance.

The AHRC funding is enabling Dr Venetia Porter, Curator of the exhibition and based in the Department of the Middle East at the British Museum, to undertake multidisciplinary research particularly focusing on the history of the Hajj, the material culture associated with it and its contemporary religious and social aspects. This research project will result in the information that will be visible in the exhibition (textual information and in the multi-media guide) and in a multi-authored publication by leading scholars, and related academic papers.

Speaking of the project Dr Porter said “This research is extremely important to us enabling us to delve deeper into the subject on a number of different levels. This includes a response to key questions raised by the evaluators on how we were dealing with Hajj from the UK and its broader implications. Therefore we have now established a collaboration with the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Leeds to explore British Muslim communities' experiences of Hajj.  The results of this research will be in evidence within the exhibition but will also result in an academic paper on this subject which will provide a strong legacy to the work that we are doing.”

Further to the exhibition itself Dr Porter will be organising a three day academic conference 22nd -24th March 2012 which will cover a range of topics around the history and the material culture of Hajj. Contributions will come from UK and international scholars from many disciplines including religious studies, history, Islamic art and anthropology. The proceedings of the conference will be published.

This exhibition concludes the British Museum’s series of three exhibitions focused on spiritual journeys.

Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, said "The British Museum’s exhibition, Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam, will enable a global audience to deepen their understanding of the significance and history of the Hajj. In particular, it will allow non-Muslims to explore the one aspect of Islamic practice and faith which they are not able to witness, but which plays such a major part in forming a worldwide Islamic consciousness."

AHRC Media contact: Jake Gilmore, Communications Manager, 01793 416021; j.gilmore@ahrc.ac.uk   

Notes to Editors:

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC): Each year the AHRC provides approximately £100 million from the Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from languages and law, archaeology and English literature to design and creative and performing arts. In any one year, the AHRC makes hundreds of research awards ranging from individual fellowships to major collaborative projects as well as over 1,100 studentship awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.  

Hajj:journey to the heart of Islam 26 January to 15th April 2012
Tickets are now on sale. To book tickets please go to www.britishmuseum.org/hajj or 020 7323 8181. For public information please go to www.britishmuseum.org or 020 7323 8299.

Admission charge £12, children under 16 and Members free plus a range of concessions including group rates.
Tickets are available to book through the box office by calling 020 7323 8181 or online at www.britishmuseum.org/hajj. Opening hours 10.00–17.30 Saturday to Thursday, 10.00–20.30 Fridays.
The exhibition runs between 26 January and 15 April 2012.

An accompanying catalogue will be published by British Museum Press: Hajj; journey to the heart of Islam, is edited by Venetia Porter and features contributions by leading scholars, paperback £30.

HSBC Amanah is the global Islamic financial services business of the HSBC Group. It was established in 1998 with the aim of making HSBC the leading provider of Islamic financial services worldwide. With established and successful operations in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Europe, HSBC Amanah offers the largest and most comprehensive Islamic proposition of any international bank. With the global resources of the HSBC Group at its disposal, HSBC Amanah is uniquely positioned to understand, structure, and distribute financial services that are compatible with the requirements of Shariah (Islamic Law).

HSBC Cultural Exchange is the bank’s global cultural sponsorship programme. As an international bank working with clients across more than 80 countries worldwide, HSBC encourages the exchange of ideas across different cultures to generate and strengthen international business relationships. Since its launch in 2008 HSBC’s Cultural Exchange programme has embraced culture in its widest sense in more than 25 countries – from fine art to cuisine, from language and literature to dance, street arts and all forms of music. www.hsbc.com/culturalexchange

AHRC award. The British Museum has been awarded an AHRC grant to support the research for the exhibition and accompanying publication. The outcomes will include an academic conference on Hajj and a collaboration with the University of Leeds to explore British Muslim communities' experiences of Hajj.