An interesting account of an American convert to Islam's pilgrimage to Mecca. He talks a bit in the beginning about what drew him from Judaism to Islam but it's not really a spiritual memoir. He describes his trip, pausing in places to talk about the hadj in its historical context, and to describe the people he spends time with along the way. He's traveled a lot in the Mideast and starts his journey in Morocco, staying with old friends. Once he goes to Saudi Arabia, he's part of an American delegation sponsored by a Saudi prince. The Hadj is physically demanding partly because of the extreme temperatures, the distances involved, and the usual illnesses and strains of travel, but also because of the huge crowds that converge on Mecca for a week to perform this required rite. One of the things he talks about is how cars have changed things. Once, everybody rode camels; now, with cars and buses, it takes hours to go a few miles. But one of the principles of Islam is hospitality to guests and the Saudis see taking care of the pilgrims as their personal responsibility. Nearly everything goes smoothly, although there's a stampede in one of the tunnels in which pilgrims are killed. That's an anomaly, though.

One of the things that strikes him, over and over, is how international the Hadj is. The year he went was notable because for the first time Russian and Chinese Muslims are able to participate. Another thing I liked was his awareness of practicing his adopted faith among fellow believers. He describes the rhythms of the city during Ramadan, when everyone is fasting, and the sense that they're all helping each other get through it. It's very different from Ramadan at home in California. ( )