?It is laid down in the Qur#146;an that at least once in their lives Muslims should undertake the annual spiritual pilgrimage--the Hajj--to the holy city of Mecca. There, within a sanctuary, lies the Ka#146;ba--a cube of black granite that is the literal center of a Muslim#146;s world and the compass point towards which daily prayers are made. This striking little book not only takes the reader on a journey, but celebrates the skill and creativity of artists, craftspeople, and the pilgrims themselves who have responded to the call of Hajj over the centuries. Encompasses a striking array of objects and images, from the seventh to the 21st centuries. Features illuminated manuscripts, wall paintings and photographs, calligraphy, textiles, scientific instruments, decorative tiles, maps, ceramics, metalwork, and powerful works by contemporary artists.