New study details 18th-century Moroccan pilgrimage journey

A new study by researcher Suleiman Al-Qurashi sheds light on the 18th-century Moroccan pilgrimage experience through the detailed account of Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi al-Qasim al-Shawi al-Mazmuzi al-Ghanami. Titled "Journey of the Seekers and Desire of the Visitors," the work, based on al-Ghanami's 1728 journey, adds a significant volume to the literature of travel to the holy city of Mecca.

The book is described as a qualitative addition to Hijazi travelogues, emphasizing the religious core of the pilgrimage and its significance in Islamic belief. It enriches the narrative of the journey by incorporating al-Ghanami's observations, encounters with scholars and saints, and the spiritual blessings he received.

Al-Qurashi highlights al-Ghanami's descriptive approach to places, capturing his emotional responses and his observations of those who differed in faith or practice. The publication is considered a valuable contribution to Moroccan travel records, extending beyond the purely religious aspects to reveal the Moroccan individual's religious system and the nature of relations between the East and West during the 18th century.

Suleiman Al-Qurashi is recognized for his research in Moroccan literature, particularly in the field of travel writing. His previous works include studies on "The Water of Banquets" by Abdullah Al-Ayashi and "A Journey from Morocco to Hijaz via Europe" by Muhammad Al-Ghaygai, both of which received the Ibn Battuta Prize.