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Arslan Jumaniyazov
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Harvard Researchers Estimate Impacts of Hajj
May 7, 2008 - 02:38 PM
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Estimating the Impact of the Hajj: Religion and Tolerance in Islam’s Global Gathering
By David Clingingsmith, Asim Ijaz Khwaja and Michael Kremer
Working Paper Number:RWP08-022
Submitted: 04/18/2008
http://ksgnotes1.harvard.edu/Research/wpaper.nsf/rwp/RWP08-022
Abstract
We estimate the impact on pilgrims of performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Our method compares successful and unsuccessful applicants in a lottery used by Pakistan to allocate Hajj visas. Pilgrim accounts stress that the Hajj leads to a feeling of unity with fellow Muslims, but outsiders have sometimes feared that this could be accompanied by antipathy toward non-Muslims. We find that participation in the Hajj increases observance of global Islamic practices such as prayer and fasting while decreasing participation in localized practices and beliefs such as the use of amulets and dowry. It increases belief in equality and harmony among ethnic groups and Islamic sects and leads to more favorable attitudes toward women, including greater acceptance of female education and employment. Increased unity within the Islamic world is not accompanied by antipathy toward non-Muslims. Instead, Hajjis show increased belief in peace, and in equality and harmony among adherents of different religions. The evidence suggests that these changes are more a result of exposure to and interaction with Hajjis from around the world, rather than religious instruction or a changed social role of pilgrims upon return.
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Luke Lieberman
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Re: Harvard Researchers Estimate Impacts of Hajj
May 7, 2008 - 04:51 PM
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I'm sure that is basically true. I imagine it is a more pure expression of faith.
the Hajj doesn't seem so political in nature - it is an international event - and ultimately it is bigger than politics.
I think its something I think every Muslim should do at least once ; - )
I was in Jerusalem two weeks ago - and touching the wall certainly touched me.
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Arslan Jumaniyazov
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Re: Harvard Researchers Estimate Impacts of Hajj
May 7, 2008 - 05:48 PM
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I think its something I think every Muslim should do at least once ; - )
LOL! I think, you are right. ;-)
Arslan
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Merlyn
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Re: Harvard Researchers Estimate Impacts of Hajj
May 7, 2008 - 06:23 PM
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Pilgrimage, spirituality and all kinds of religions are good in limited dozes and when the essence and nature of those activities, behavioural patterns are kept well in mind. For example, when going to Hajj, people have to realize that the cared places of Islam weren't born with Islam and that the Kabba didn't appear only when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) became the Prophet of Islam. The Kabba for example, is of meteoric origins and was worshipped well before Muslims by pagans. This and other similar in nature facts must be told and made aware of to pilgrims or thos in psiritual quest to bring all hitngs into light, otherwise the pilgrimage or psiritual quest become more of a rather blind undertaking where only very limited info is available and subsequent feelings and inspirations are driven and arosen by this limited info.
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Arslan Jumaniyazov
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Re: Harvard Researchers Estimate Impacts of Hajj
May 8, 2008 - 02:15 AM
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Elemental,
You are really funny. What problem do you have with those who carry out pilgrimage while having "limited info"? Who told you that Muslims are not aware that hundreds of idols had been worshiped by polytheists in the past? Everybody knows that. What difference does it make? Ka'ba has been cleansed of those idols, and whatever it is, it is just the matter of one's personal religious belief. Or are you concerned that some Muslims might be committing some form of idol-worhipping? ;-)
Other than that, what you are saying is completely beside the point. There is a religious dimension of Hajj which believers feel. Pilgrims experience what Luke experienced in Jerusalem (on a stronger or weaker level depending on how much one is devoted), but what the Harvard researches are trying to show is the socio-cultural dimension of Hajj. It promotes tolerance, greater respect for women and non-Muslims, as the researchers concluded, thanks to the interaction of peoples of different ethnicities, cultures, nationalities, gender and class.
Anyway, keep bringing up your funny comments, they are always good for a laugh. ;-)
Arslan
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Luke Lieberman
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Re: Harvard Researchers Estimate Impacts of Hajj
May 8, 2008 - 12:22 PM
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Its where Malcom X went from anti-white racist to agent of tolerance. (which is why his people killed him)
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