Tropen Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Supported by
Bank Giro Loterij
British Museum
Hadj Info
The Khalili Collections
Curated by
Dr Luit Mols
With major contributions from
Professor Nasser David Khalili, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
Magnetism and works from Desert of Pharan featured in this major exhibition taking visitors on a pilgrimage to Mecca, alongside special objects and personal stories of Dutch pilgrims.
Longing for Mecca offered a unique insight into the Hajj, Islam’s most important pilgrimage. Millions of people travel to Mecca each year, including thousands of Dutch. It is one of the world’s biggest religious, spiritual and cultural phenomena. What attracts these pilgrims? What impressions and experiences move them on the road, when they reach their destination and when they come back?
For centuries, the pilgrimage to Mecca inspires many artists and rulers to create spectacular works of art. In the exhibition we have brought together more than 300 appealing pieces from important collections of Islamic art. The curated pieces span a wide range: from the 10th century to the present day, and from China and Indonesia to Turkey and Morocco.
