Harvard study shows positive impacts of Muslim hajj
Study finds that Muslim pilgrimage experience promotes peace, harmony,
women's rights.
HARVARD, Massachusetts – A study on the longer-term effect of participating
in the Islamic pilgrimage found that Muslims communities have become more
open in many ways after the Hajj experience.
The study, published by Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, says that
hajj – Muslim pilgrimage - urges equality and harmony.
"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," the study found.
Entitled 'Estimating the Impact of the Haj: Religion and Tolerance in
Islam's Global Gathering', the study also found that the hajj experience
promotes peaceful coexistence.
"Increased unity within the Islamic world is not accompanied by antipathy
toward non-Muslims," stressed the Harvard study, adding that "Hajjis show
increased belief in peace, and in equality and harmony among adherents of
different religions."
The study, which was based on data from over 1,600 applicants to Pakistan's
hajj visa allocation lottery in 2006, can be downloaded here:
The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that Muslims are expected to
perform at least once in their lives if they have the means to do so.
Interesting piece.