Location: East Jerusalem, Israel
In some Middle Eastern countries when pilgrims return from the Hajj, they paint evidence of their journey on the outside of their homes. Making the Hajj, at least once in your lifetime, is not only one of the five pillars of Islam, but it is also a way to get closer to Allah. Not everyone who has money can make the Hajj. True Muslims must also be mature and in good health; they must also have the right attitude. Therefore, they might do this journey later in life.
Although Muslims can go on the Hajj once a year, two months after Ramadan, it is very expensive for ordinary people to make the pilgrimage from East Jerusalem to Mecca. A number of Muslim homes in the Old City, East Jerusalem have elaborate designs and images painted on them, commemorating the family members’ return from the Hajj. The houses also have a sign with the date of the Hajj and the names of the people who went to Mecca. The slideshow on this page shows the many images used in these paintings. An identification and analysis of these images could teach an American high student a great deal about Islam.