Mosaic is delighted to be working with the British Museum to promote their exciting new Hajj Exhibition.

Mosaic’s Chairman HRH Princess Badiya bint El Hassan of Jordan and other Board members attended the official opening of the Hajj:Journey to the Heart of Islam exhibition on 26th January. Leading Mosaic supporters have attended previews of the exhibition and, in March, some 200 students from schools in disadvantaged communities in London supported through Mosaic’s mentoring programmes will attend a special viewing of the exhibition. Mosaic is also encouraging members of its extensive volunteer network to share their own Hajj experiences on the exhibition’s online space.

One of the five pillars of Islam central to Muslim belief, Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim must make at least once in their lifetime if they are able. This major exhibition, which runs from 26 January – 15 April 2012, charts the history of this deeply personal journey.

Jonathan Freeman, National Director of Mosaic, said “This is a hugely important exhibition. Broadening understanding of Islam is incredibly important and this exhibition can play a hugely important part in this. We are delighted to be helping to provide access to the exhibition from students in some of the toughest areas of London who might not otherwise have the opportunity.”

Hajj: journey to the heart of Islam, in the Reading Room at the British Museum, 26 January – 15 April 2012

This will be the first major exhibition dedicated to the Hajj; the pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is central to the Muslim faith. The exhibition will examine the significance of the Hajj as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, exploring its importance for Muslims and looking at how this spiritual journey has evolved throughout history.

It will bring together a wealth of objects from a number of different collections including important historic pieces as well as new contemporary art works which reveal the enduring impact of Hajj across the globe and across the centuries.

The Hajj exhibition is presented in partnership with King Abdulaziz Public Library, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. HSBC Amanah has supported the exhibition’s international reach outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

For more information and to book tickets visit www.britishmuseum.org/hajj or call 020 7323 8181.

(Accompanying images: Left: The Ka’ba. AP/PA.Right: Hajj certificate (detail). 17th-18th century AD. Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art (Khalili Family Trust)