Accommodations for pilgrims in Makkah: A phenomenological study.

Abstract

Over the centuries, millions of pilgrims have traveled to the Holy City of Makkah to fulfill the duty of the Hajj (Pilgrimage), which each Muslim has to perform at least once in his/her life. Today, these pilgrims, who have left their homes and devoted their time, money, and effort to this noble cause, find themselves inhabiting in citizens' residences, furnished lodgings, and hotels around the Holy Mosque. These accommodations were mainly not designed to meet these pilgrims' needs. Consequently, they face many difficulties due to socio-cultural different backgrounds and the special circumstances of the Hajj. This study attempts to develop an understanding of the pilgrim housing problem in Central Makkah from the pilgrims' point of view. It investigates the problems they face in their accommodations during their stay by exploring the meanings embedded in their living experiences. A qualitative human sciences methodology was used in conducting this study. In-depth interviews with a number of Arab pilgrims and personal observations of their accommodations were used to collect the data required to explore the problems pilgrims face in their accommodations and to identify the pilgrims' socio-cultural needs. However, to get a broader perspective of the problem, other procedures were conducted, including conducting in-depth interviews with a number of individuals from the parties involved in the accommodation process and in researching pilgrim housing policies and procedures. This study provides a description of the development of the Tiwafah (pilgrim guidance) profession, the development of housing in Central Makkah, the procedure by which residences become eligible to accommodate pilgrims, the procedure by which pilgrims obtain accommodations, and most importantly, a description and an interpretation of pilgrims' experiences with their accommodations. This study shows that less crowded spaces, more privacy, and accommodations closer to the Mosque were the most prominent needs of the pilgrims. Aside from being a monograph on pilgrim housing, this study describes the problems associated with a situation where designs which do not meet users' needs are adopted and where parties with conflicting interests are involved. The study draws its significance from the fact that the private sector is in the stage of developing residential and commercial areas around the Mosque. Deteriorating traditional houses, small properties, and even some newly-built, contemporary residential buildings are to be demolished and replaced with modern, better designed buildings that efficiently utilize the limited space around the Mosque to serve the increasing number of pilgrims, alongside the visitors and city's residents. This study will provide all parties involved in pilgrim housing design and policy making a better insight of the problems facing pilgrims and, therefore, help provide better accommodations.