Hajj : American Muslims and the Ritual of a Lifetime (original) (raw)

In today's secular world, the relationship between the tourists' and their belief plays major a part in influencing individual's visiting religious sites. The visitation patterns of individuals all depend on the strength of their religious beliefs. In current literature very limited research is available which explores the understanding and motivation of visitation patterns of religious tourists. The literature which is available, suggests that religion is a fundamental part of our life and culture in various different in modern world (Raj and Bozonelos, 2015; Raj and Rashid, 2011; Usmani, 2001). Even in modern society, which has become increasingly secular and culturally motivated, the Hajj is considered the culmination of each Muslim's religious duties and aspiration. It is stated in the Holy Qur'an, that every physically and financially able Muslim should make the Hajj to the Holy City of Makkah once in his or her lifetime. The hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime for those Muslims who can afford it; provided there is safety and security for travel and that leaves provision behind for any dependent family, while away from home performing the hajj. The hajj constitutes a form of worship with the whole of the Muslim's being: with his body, mind and soul, with his time, possessions and the temporary sacrifice of all ordinary comforts and conveniences person normally enjoy. The person should assume for few days the condition of a pilgrim whole at God's service and disposal. The paper will explore the experiences of those Muslim Americans who have attended the Hajj ritual and determine if there are any differences in experience by socioeconomic demographics. These demographics include age, gender, education and occupation. Ostensibly, economic considerations are important when undertaking religious tourism. Could these considerations also matter for the experience itself?