Rating: 
Summary: Picture Perfect
Review: The only thing I hated so much about this book is, it is so beautiful and I am jealous. Picture paints a thousand words - my writing won't justify the beauty, ever. I don't understand how this is not on everyone's desk!
Rating:
Summary: Well worth the read
Review: This book has stunning and beautiful pictures of Islam's holy areas and pictures of Muslims in action. As a non-Muslim, I would never be able to see these things in person. This book gave me a lot of insight into such things, and I definately do not regret the purchase.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth the read
Review: This book has stunning and beautiful pictures of Islam's holy areas and pictures of Muslims in action. As a non-Muslim, I would never be able to see these things in person. This book gave me a lot of insight into such things, and I definately do not regret the purchase.
Rating:
Summary: An Inspiring Book and a Motivation for all
Review: This book is great. I enjoyed reading it, it contains some to the point and accurate accounts of what happened before and after islam. The pictures are some of the best I have ever seen. It brought tears to my eys from the sheer magnifigance of the photos and the Kabba and the prohpet's mosque.Recommended for Muslims and No Muslims alike.
Rating: 
Summary: It Could be much better
Review: This book is one of the rare pictorial books abouth the two holy cities from Islamic point of view. It is basically the Hajj in pictures. Book is very well put together but I expected more pictures and better exposures. There are considerable repeat pictures. The night exposures are dissater, there are not enough real life situations from Hajis.If you buy this book as Anatomy of Hajj and visual visit to Holy sites you might be dissapointed. Real Life conditions during Hajj is not depicted.If you buy this book for rememberance of the days of Hajj that you might have had or you wanted to learn before you go there, you are up to a big dissapointment as I did. It is a mixed bag. Detailed pictures of daily life is missing. The Tents, Mina, Arafat, Streets of Mecca are not covered properly. Only well known pictures are in the book as though they are distributed from same source.
Rating:
Summary: A view into the holy places of Islam
Review: This is a beautiful photographic essay on the experience of the Hajj. It includes photos of Mecca and the Kaaba, the physical locus of prayer for Muslims around the world. It also includes photos of the City of Medina, the site of the tomb of the Prophet, Muhammad upon him be peace. An introductory essay gives a brief description of the historical expansion of the buildings around the Kaaba and the Holy Tomb. Colorful views of the rituals of the pilgrimage provide Westerners with an insight into this essential ritual of Islam. I especially appreciate the photos of Muslims from around the world as they gather together in pilgrimage. It is a book I have chosen to share with friends and family to increase their understanding of Islam.
Rating:
Summary: A view into the holy places of Islam
Review: This is a beautiful photographic essay on the experience of the Hajj. It includes photos of Mecca and the Kaaba, the physical locus of prayer for Muslims around the world. It also includes photos of the City of Medina, the site of the tomb of the Prophet, Muhammad upon him be peace. An introductory essay gives a brief description of the historical expansion of the buildings around the Kaaba and the Holy Tomb. Colorful views of the rituals of the pilgrimage provide Westerners with an insight into this essential ritual of Islam. I especially appreciate the photos of Muslims from around the world as they gather together in pilgrimage. It is a book I have chosen to share with friends and family to increase their understanding of Islam.
Rating: 
Summary: A Delightful Collection of Rarely Seen Places & Rites
Review: This is a must for all Muslim families, and all curious non-Muslims. I've given this book as a gift a number of times. The photographs of these rarely seen places and rites are powerful and intriguing. The only reason I do not give it a full 5 stars is I would have liked to have seen more of a pictorial history. For instance, there is a diagram of the growth and construction of the Prophet's Mosque through the centuries. More of that type of information, along with more historical photographs and drawings would have really completed this work.
Rating:
Summary: lush photos earnestl strive to capture a difficult subject
Review: Unlike your typical "coffee table book," Nomachi's work can be reread and appreciated as a delicious portrait of what is to some a mysterious branch of humanity. I understand Hacibey's criticism and am not in a position to counter it, as I am not Muslim and have not made a hajj. I can only point out that the book is gorgeous, absorbing, and fascinating. I have been a scholar of comparative religions for some time and, despite the shallowness that some have assailed, I found the photographs to be very enlightening, even touching, as an earnest attempt to touch the soul of the hajji and hajjiyah as they endure their once-in-a-lifetime Meccan ordeals.
Rating:
Summary: A great book for non-Muslims as well!
Review: We get so little information from our media on the largest pilgrimage in the world, that this book is a revelation. Islam and the Hadj are an integral part of the history and culture of the Middle East, and by extension, our world. The photography is nothing short of stunning, and there is little that is not covered, so that one gets a good sense of the topography, the rites, and of course, the pilgrims. An essential book not only for Muslims, but perhaps even more for non-Muslims looking to understand one of the world's great faiths. I will never, as a non-Muslim, be able to visit the holy cities, but this book was the next best thing. Flawless.
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