Economic and Social Effects of the Hajj Report

Introduction

The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five sacred duties of Muslims, mentioned in the Quran. Over 2 million Muslims from around the world and especially from developing countries such as India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Nigeria undertake the journey to Mecca and participate in the Hajj, the world’s largest annual religious pilgrimage. This social and economic significance of the Hajj is worth studying as the Hajj is considered to lead to transformative changes in the pilgrim’s life and his relationship with the world. Moreover, the Hajj provides an opportunity to study the role played by an institution in determining socioeconomic outcomes.

Points to Consider

• All Muslims who are strong enough to travel and who can afford the trip are expected to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage at least once during their lifetime by Quranic injunction.
• The overall Hajj experience would affect pilgrims. Hajj involves intensive participation in religious activities over a long period and hence can be expected to impact individual religious practices and beliefs after the Hajj is over. Hajj offers a common platform for Muslim pilgrims from various countries. Moreover, Hajj also brings a certain social status to them (Donnan 1989). Research by Clingingsmith et al (2006) shows that Hajj causes physical and mental strain in individuals. During the pilgrimage, the pilgrims may have to walk about 80 kilometers within a period of ten days.
• The Hajj pilgrims generally have a liberated view of the world and believe in peaceful co-existence with people of different races and religions. Unlike traditional Muslims, they even accept coeducational schooling for both boys and girls. Moreover, Hajj helps to unify Muslims all over the world.

Recommendations

• The impact of Hajj on the pilgrims should be analyzed through interaction with a diverse group of Muslims.
• The Hajj should seek policy initiatives in the region through multilateral foray.
• The Hajj should involve youth via ongoing education and programs. The international community can liaise with Hajj to institute programs that encourage young pilgrims to enter politics.
• Hajj initiatives can be supported to stimulate the economy. Initiatives led by Hajjis are better positioned and more likely to meet with success. On the economic front the Hajj has a wide array of tools at its disposal. The Hajj should take advantage of these tools and use them in a pragmatic fashion to bolster the health of economies.
• Tolerance and gender views are likely to be inputs in the economic growth process and hence understanding the impact of Hajj on these will show how “religious capital” can impact prosperity.
• The Hajj should nurture future leaders with more strong support of religious society. Training younger generation leaders can help strengthen the Hajj religious society networks. The Hajj has considerable resources to offer in this regard; education and training in these areas will not only strengthen leaders but also advance Hajj relations with new generations.
• The Hajj should promote sustainable development, and therefore focus on reducing poverty, supporting environmentally sound infrastructure projects, and encouraging government and private sector partnerships.
• The Hajj should focus more on nontraditional challenges such as terrorism, maritime security, trafficking of arms, narcotics, and people, health issues, and the environment.