Mecca the Blessed, Medina the Radiant (Export Edition) - by Seyyed Hossein Nasr (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Mecca the Blessed, Medina the Radiant is an unprecedented photographic exploration of the holiest cities of Islam and the Hajj, or annual pilgrimage during Ramadan when more than a million faithful journey to Mecca's Great Mosque to commemorate the first revelation of the Qur'an (Koran).

This book allows both Muslims and those unfamiliar with the Islamic faith complete access to the holiest sites of one of the world's major religions, practiced by a quarter of the world's population but often misunderstood in the West.

Photographer Ali Kazuyoshi Namachi, a Muslim convert from Japan, garnered the full support of Saudi Arabian authorities--rarely given--to shoot in cities where photography is strictly controlled and, non-Muslims are not allowed.

An expansive work of photojournalism, Mecca the Blessed, Medina the Radiant includes:

• 140 full-color, never-before-seen photographs
• Mystical places and scenes of Islam
• Breathtaking aerial photographs of the Arabian terrain
• Vistas of teeming crowds of worshippers surrounding the Kasbah, Mecca's sacred center
• Intense portraits of faithful Muslims in prayer
• Magnificent architecture reflecting the faith of the believers
• Archival illustrations

Text by Seyyed Hossein Nasr, one of the most highly regarded scholars of Islam, enhances the stunning Islamic holy city photographs to illuminate many aspects of Islamic belief that have remained an enigma to non-Muslims--until now.

From the Back Cover

Mecca the blessed, Medina the Radiant is a remarkable achievement by Japanese photographer Ali Kazuyoshi Nomachi, who is a convert to Islam. These never-before-seen images provide an opening to the mystical places and scenes of Islam from breathtaking aerial photographs of the Arabian terrain, to vistas of teeming crowds of worshippers surrounding the Ka'bah, to intense portraits of faithful Muslims in prayer, to the magnificent architecture reflecting the faith of the believers. Despite Islam's position as a powerful religion, many aspects of Muslim thought and belief remain an enigma to non-Muslims. One reason may be that Mecca and Medina are restricted to Muslims, and photographing the sites requires special permission, rarely given, from the Saudi Arabian authorities. With their support, photographer Ali Kazuyoshi Nomachi has been able to accomplish this unique mission.

Review Quotes

"Some of the photographs in the book show the number of people who make this great journey each year. The crowds and camaraderie that must be felt to be one of the millions there must be amazing. The Hajj chapter has the most text of the entire book. It explains the various stages of the journey well and in much more detail than Hajj Stories did. I really feel like it gave us a good introduction to the amazing trip and the effort it must be to make it. [ ] The photographs of Medina are beautiful and many show the beautiful designs of Islamic art." "Crafty Moms Share" blog"

"The photographs of these two cities are spectacular. What makes the book and the photographs even more compelling is that these cities are closed to non-Muslims and thus the book provides a rare glimpse at a culture, and its artifacts, such as its architecture that is little known. A fascinating look at one of the world's largest and least known living traditions."--Kirk Robertson, "Neon"

About the Author

Photographer Ali Kazuyoshi Nomachi is known for his exhaustive research and field work covering the Arabian peninsula. His photographs have been featured in Life, National Geographic, and Stern, among other leading magazines. Nomachi is the recipient of many awards, including the Annual Award 1997 from the Photographic Society of Japan.

Author Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr, born in Iran, was educated at MIT and Harvard University and is now Professor of Islamic Studies at The George Washington University. He has taught and lectured extensively throughout the Islamic world, Western Europe, North and Central America, India, Japan, and Australia. Dr. Nasr is the author of more than twenty books, including Islamic Art and Spirituality, Islamic Life and Thought, and Traditional Islam in the Modern World.