Journey to Mecca: In the Footsteps of Ibn Battuta

The New York Times reports that the phrase “War on Terror” is being quietly dropped by the new administration. It had served a purpose to facilitate the politics of fear during the Bush years, but it was becoming a serious burden for US approaches to the Muslim world. It became obvious to many cool headed observers that, while the likes of al-Qaeda and other extremists were still dangerous, they were in fact small hard-line groups. The vast Muslim world was ready for a more respectful and sympathetic approach from a saner US government. How else can one interpret the joyous scenes that followed the election of Barack Obama in most Islamic countries. It was astonishing to hear of young students running around the campus of the University of Indonesia, shouting “We have won!”

This unusual, timely and beautiful film, Journey to Mecca, presents a more sympathetic interpretation of Islam both to the West and to the East. It shows the profoundly devotional aspect of a religion that has been thoroughly demonized since the cataclysmic events of 9/11. The rituals of the pilgrimage that bring together literally millions of worshippers every year to Mecca, presume and proclaim “Peace” in the world. Peace is of the essence since the worshippers themselves come from entirely different backgrounds, from all colors, and all climates.

The film makers, among them Taran Davies ’93, were awarded the unusual permission by the authorities in Saudi Arabia, the “protectors of Mecca and Medina”, to shoot the scenes of the Hajj. They do not disappoint. There are spectacular scenes all presented in the vast screen panorama of IMAX. Some are very striking taken from air, showing the immense multitude that has congregated in their white garb – a reference to their attire on the Day of Judgment – circumambulating the sacred Ka’aba, the black cube, the House of Abraham and Ishmael. It all harks back to the foundation of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

The producers do not give us an ordinary documentary. The film is presented as though the pilgrimage is undertaken by a famous traveler of the 14th century. Hence, the sub-title of the movie, “In the footsteps of Ibn Battuta”.

Ibn Batuta was certainly a most amazing person. The full account of his travels across an immense geography from Tangier to the Crimea, from Byzantium to Delhi and Calicut and the Maldives, perhaps to China, but also to East and West Africa, fill many engrossing volumes. He has provided an account of peoples and societies with the eye of a learned and interested observer at a moment in history that would be the envy of any travel writer to-day. If the film does nothing but intrigue the viewers to become more acquainted with this astonishing story, it will have served to soften the supposed “clash of civilizations”. It will also have earned the sponsorship of the National Geographic. Indeed, given all the attention lavished on the magnificent photography, the deserts, the ancient cities, the caravans, (and even bandits) it is a weakness of the film that the remarkable story of Ibn Battuta is not more developed.

Perhaps as a 45 minute IMAX movie about the Hajj, this was all that was possible to communicate about the greatest traveler of the old world. However, in contrast to the highly critical opinion of the Crimson’s film critic, ‘Journey to Mecca’ does succeed in imparting the meaning of the Hajj and its rituals in a uniquely dramatic manner. It certainly presents some of the spiritual aspects of the Islamic heritage in an entertaining, yet responsible way rarely, if ever, presented in the cinema in the West. The producers are to be commended for a positive contribution to the “dialogue of civilizations” at a sensitive moment in world history.

Taran Davies who evidently initiated the production, along with his partner Dominic Cunningham-Reid of Cosmic Picture, is an intrepid film-maker. His first film Around the Sacred Sea tells the story of a five month expedition on horseback around Lake Baikal in Siberia with a group of his Harvard friends taken soon after graduation. Since then he has become an expert on Central Asia and Islam.

The documentation that comes with the film is first rate. It will be very helpful for educational purposes. It may even strengthen the hand of peacemakers.

Nur Yalman,
Research Professor of Social Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies,
Department of Anthropology, Harvard University,
Senior Fellow, Society of Fellows.