Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam at the British Museum – in pictures

The Ka'ba in Mecca shown as the centre of the world – illustration from Tarih-i Hind-i Garbi (Turkey, 1650) The exhibition examines the significance of the hajj as one of the five pillars of Islam, exploring its importance for Muslims and looking at the historical evolution of this spiritual journey Photograph: Leiden University Library Curtain for the door of the Ka'ba, in the name of Sultan Abd al-Majid Khan (Cairo, 1846-7) The British Museum exhibition documents contemporary journeys to Mecca alongside historical artefacts Photograph: Nasser D Khalili Collection of Islamic Art (Khalili Family Trust) Photograph: Action images Bird's-eye view of Mecca with the Grand Mosque and shrine of Muhammad in the centre, by Carl Ponheimer (1803) Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam examines three key strands of the faith: the pilgrim’s journey, with an emphasis on the major routes used (from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East); the hajj today and its associated rituals; and Mecca, the destination of hajj, its origins and importance Photograph: The Trustees of the British Museum Tile depicting the sanctuary at Mecca from Iznik, Turkey (17th century) It is laid down in the Quran that it is a sacred duty for Muslims everywhere, if they are able, to make the journey to Mecca at least once in their lives Photograph: Benaki Museum, Athens People at prayer (Faizabad, India, 1774) The pilgrimage takes place during the last month of the Islamic year, known as Dhu’l Hijja Photograph: V&A Images/Victoria and Albert Museum Magnetism by Ahmed Mater (b1979) At the heart of the sanctuary at Mecca lies the Ka’ba, the cube-shaped building Muslims believe was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael Photograph: Ahmed Mater and the Trustees of the British Museum Ivory sundial and qibla pointer, made by Bayram bin Ilyas (Turkey, 1582-3) It was in Mecca that the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelations in the early 7th century. The city has long been viewed as a spiritual centre and the heart of Islam. The qibla is the direction Muslims all over the world must face in prayer, towards Mecca Photograph: The Trustees of the British Museum Red silk mahmal, 4m high The mahmal was a canopied litter, sent by the rulers of Egypt with a caravan of pilgrims travelling to Mecca; their journey was made in honour of a pilgrimage made by a medieval sultan's wife, Shajaret-ed-Durr Photograph: Christopher Phillips/Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art (Khalili Family Trust) Photograph: Christopher Phillips/Nasser D Khalili Collection of Islamic Art (Khalili Family Trust) Painting from a copy of the Anis ul-Hujjaj, a guide to pilgrimage (Mughal India, c1677-80) The rituals involved with hajj have remained virtually unchanged since its beginning Photograph: Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art (Khalili Family Trust) Water bottle made of Chinese porcelain containing Zamzam water (19th century) The objects in the exhibition document the long and perilous journey associated with the hajj, including gifts offered to the sanctuary as acts of devotion and souvenirs – such as water from the holy Zamzam well in Mecca Photograph: The Trustees of the British Museum Photograph: Action images Road to Mecca by Maha Malluh (photogram, 2010) The hajj has a deep emotional and spiritual significance for Muslims, and continues to inspire a wide range of personal, literary and artistic responses, many of which are explored in the exhibition Photograph: British Museum, London