Mecca the Blessed, Medina the Radiant : The Holiest Cities of Islam

Rating:
Summary: The coffee table book for Muslims!
Review: A must for all Muslims. A wonderful book that has captured everyone who has picked it up in our house, Muslim and non-Muslim alike. If you can't go then definitely get this book, if you can then this is a wonderful preview. The pictures are beautiful.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: An excellent collection of photographs. First time, I have seen such a collection. For those who may have not yet made the pilgrimage, it provdes great insight. For those who have already been there, it made them remeber their own cherished experiences and perhaps make them desire to be there again.

Rating:
Summary: A Triumph
Review: Mecca the Blessed, Medina the Radiant: The Holiest Cities of Islam is a stunning pictorial depiction of the hajj, the annual sacred pilgrimage to Mecca. Particular focus is paid to the specifics of the hajj, but it also succeeds in reminding readers of the extraordinary picture of humanity one obtains at the hajj as well as the powerful role that faith plays in the lives of the pilgrims

While another reviewer points out that sometimes lost is the intimate depictions of pilgrims, as a Muslim, the book is a powerful reminder of what is most important about the hajj: our shared devotion to Islam.

Other readers take pains to point things not within the ken of the book. In particular, one should remember that Mecca and Medina are sacred. One reader makes much of the exclusion of non-believers to the holy cities, but in every there are sacred spaces for which only believers are allowed and for which only believers can imbue it with the spiritual value it deserves. And in every religious tradition, believers inscribe the boundaries of the sacred and the profane. Indeed, Mecca is not the Vatican, it does not warehouse religious artifacts, Mecca and Medina serve as an earthly reminder of their ethereal beliefs on earth.

Rating:
Summary: A Triumph
Review: Mecca the Blessed, Medina the Radiant: The Holiest Cities of Islam is a stunning pictorial depiction of the hajj, the annual sacred pilgrimage to Mecca. Particular focus is paid to the specifics of the hajj, but it also succeeds in reminding readers of the extraordinary picture of humanity one obtains at the hajj as well as the powerful role that faith plays in the lives of the pilgrims

While another reviewer points out that sometimes lost is the intimate depictions of pilgrims, as a Muslim, the book is a powerful reminder of what is most important about the hajj: our shared devotion to Islam.

Other readers take pains to point things not within the ken of the book. In particular, one should remember that Mecca and Medina are sacred. One reader makes much of the exclusion of non-believers to the holy cities, but in every there are sacred spaces for which only believers are allowed and for which only believers can imbue it with the spiritual value it deserves. And in every religious tradition, believers inscribe the boundaries of the sacred and the profane. Indeed, Mecca is not the Vatican, it does not warehouse religious artifacts, Mecca and Medina serve as an earthly reminder of their ethereal beliefs on earth.

Rating:
Summary: A collectors item!!!
Review: Mr. Nomachi has captured the holiest places in the Muslim world with breathtaking beauty. This album of classic photographs (with great introduction and explanation from contributors) shows what heights can art achieve when it is combined with the power of faith and spirituality.

Another great illustration to bring to the world the greatness of Islam in contrast to the usual media bashing that this faith recieves. The illustrations reflect beautifully the glandeur of humanity when they pray side to side in front of one God forgetting all barriers that divide humanity today; race, color, money, etc.

Rating:
Summary: Thanks 2 everyone who made this possible
Review: Thank you Ali Kazuyoshi Nomachi, thank you Seyyed Hossein, thank you Aperture and thanks to everyone who made possible, such a unique collection.

This book has 4 major sections. First is about history, geography, out skirts and some related information about Islam, Hajj and Arabia. Next 3 are covering Mecca, Medina and Arabia. The text, the history, the photographs, the geography, its not just insightful for Muslims but also for non-Muslims. Its a beautiful gift.

I dont agree with one of previous comment that "night exposure is disaster" because for me it doesnt matter that pictures were taken at night or at day, every picture has its mood and every picture is a master piece. Picture doesnt always have to be in sun light and this is very artistic that photographer captured those different times and moods. This book is like one from series of "a day in life of". Coverage was enough to make me sentimental.

In response to comment "two racist cities...", in short, non-muslims were allowed earlier but after the incident of 2 non-muslims digging tunnel underground to get the body of prophet Mohammad (PBUH) from his tomb in the era of ruler salahuddin ayyubi, its restricted now. In response to comment "Where blacks went for...", I have read history but I have never read this vision. Its true that there was concept of slavery in old times of east and west and everywhere else but mapping of Islam with slavery and this new vision and this conclusion is a new addition in old history.

Rating:
Summary: Thanks 2 everyone who made this possible
Review: Thank you Ali Kazuyoshi Nomachi, thank you Seyyed Hossein, thank you Aperture and thanks to everyone who made possible, such a unique collection.

This book has 4 major sections. First is about history, geography, out skirts and some related information about Islam, Hajj and Arabia. Next 3 are covering Mecca, Medina and Arabia. The text, the history, the photographs, the geography, its not just insightful for Muslims but also for non-Muslims. Its a beautiful gift.

I dont agree with one of previous comment that "night exposure is disaster" because for me it doesnt matter that pictures were taken at night or at day, every picture has its mood and every picture is a master piece. Picture doesnt always have to be in sun light and this is very artistic that photographer captured those different times and moods. This book is like one from series of "a day in life of". Coverage was enough to make me sentimental.

In response to comment "two racist cities...", in short, non-muslims were allowed earlier but after the incident of 2 non-muslims digging tunnel underground to get the body of prophet Mohammad (PBUH) from his tomb in the era of ruler salahuddin ayyubi, its restricted now. In response to comment "Where blacks went for...", I have read history but I have never read this vision. Its true that there was concept of slavery in old times of east and west and everywhere else but mapping of Islam with slavery and this new vision and this conclusion is a new addition in old history.

Rating:
Summary: Where blacks went for pilgrimage, and ended as slaves
Review: The book glorifies two cities that practice a unique form of racism: Christians, Jews, Hindus, Bahais are forbidden from these two cities. Not only may non-Moslems not live there, build churches and temples, but they may not even enter these cities to visit a friend or conduct legitimate buisness. The book does not say that these racist laws are a result of an ethnic cleansing campaign that took place in the seventh century. These laws are enforced with zeal and rigor today, at the dawn of the twenty first century. They are based on the belief that the cities are holy, and a visit by a Christian or Hindu or Jew will desecrate their purity. Imagine the Holy See declaring the Vatican off limits to non-Christians, and imagine, following that, a Christian writer publishing a book glorifying the Vatican.

The book does not raise these issues. It does not even consider them issues, as NonMoslems are expected to respect such racist laws and never question them. Declaring Mecca blessed and Medina radiant when they proudly enforce such racist laws is indicative of an attitude of hate and contempt for other religions.

Rating:
Summary: Two racist cities: entry forbidden to Christians
Review: The book glorifies two cities that practice a unique form of racism: Christians, Jews, Hindus, Bahais are forbidden from these two cities. Not only may non-Moslems not live there, build churches and temples, but they may not even enter these cities to visit a friend or conduct legitimate buisness. The book does not say that these racist laws are a result of an ethnic cleansing campaign that took place in the seventh century. These laws are enforced with zeal and rigor today, at the dawn of the twenty first century. They are based on the belief that the cities are holy, and a visit by a Christian or Hindu or Jew will desecrate their purity. Imagine the Holy See declaring the Vatican off limits to non-Christians, and imagine, following that, a Christian writer publishing a book glorifying the Vatican.

The book does not raise these issues. It does not even consider them issues, as NonMoslems are expected to respect such racist laws and never question them. Declaring Mecca blessed and Medina radiant when they proudly enforce such racist laws is indicative of an attitude of hate and contempt for other religions.

Rating:
Summary: Where blacks went for pilgrimage, and ended as slaves
Review: The book intends to glorify two cities where for centuries, black men and women from Africa would arrive as pilgrims, are abducted, and sold as slaves and concubines to Arab masters. This shameful slave trade in black human beings is very much a part of the history of Mecca and Medina, as it continued well into the twentieth century. Yet the book keeps a grotesque silence on this human tragedy