Finding Meccaa Hajj trail for KS2 students

HSBC Amanah has supported the exhibition’s international reach outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

In partnership with

King Abdulaziz Public LibraryRiyadh, Saudi Arabia

Finding Mecca

Did you know? About 3 million Muslims go on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca every year.

This exhibition will help you to think about the journey that Muslims take when they go on Hajj, why they go and what they do while they are in Mecca.

Look closely at the objects in the exhibition as you complete the activities in the trail.

While you travel look out for the key words, which are listed in red on the following pages.

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ts Stage 1 – Why go to Mecca?

Did you know? Many children and young people go on pilgrimage to Mecca.

Why do Muslims go on Hajj?

The Prophet Muhammad set out five key rules, known as pillars, to help people live as Muslims.

Use the information from the first panels in the exhibition to help you to complete the names for the Five Pillars of Islam below.

Declare ‘There is no god but God and Muhammad is His messenger’

Pray to God five times a day

Give a proportion of wealth to the needy

Fast during the month of Ramadan

Make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in life

Key word: rules

Shahada

Zakat

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ts Stage 2 – Preparing to leave

Did you know? Pilgrims have to settle all their debts before going on Hajj.

Every year thousands of Muslims travel from across the UK to Mecca for Hajj.

Look for the large map at the start of the exhibition and find Mecca.

People have used compasses for hundreds of years to find the direction of Mecca (qibla).

Look for the qibla compasses on display. Mecca is 119º from London. Draw a needle from the centre of your compass below to show its direction.

Pilgrims have to prepare carefully for Hajj.

Think about the country pilgrims are travelling to and decide on the three most important things to take on the journey. Write them in the backpack above.

Pilgrims take things like flight tickets, passports, guide books, maps, prayer books and special clothes.

Key word: preparation

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ts Stage 3 – Getting there

Did you know? People have been going on Hajj for over 1,350 years.

In the past there were three major land routes to Mecca. Look at the panels and maps and write the names of the two cities on the routes below.

Baghdad to _____________ to Mecca Timbuktu to _____________ to Mecca

Look at the information panels and find the names of two famous rulers who took these routes. Write your answers in the spaces below.

Queen __________________________ Mansa __________________________

Today, many pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia by aeroplane. Find the objects below and use them to help you to write down three ways of travelling in the past.

____________________

____________________

____________________

Key word: journey

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ts Stage 4 – Arriving in Mecca

Did you know? Men dress in two pieces of plain white cloth during Hajj.

You are arriving in Mecca the Blessed.

Walk under the archway in front of you and look for the big ‘road sign’ by artist Abdulnasser Gharem. Use it to help you complete the Arabic for Mecca (Makkah) in the space below. Remember to write from right to left.

Look closely at the photos and paintings in this section and write a sentence to describe the buildings in the Sanctuary at Mecca.

When Muslims visit the Ka‘ba in Mecca they walk around it.

How many times do they walk round?

Look at the picture below and draw a line to show the route Muslims take. Keep drawing until the whole walk is finished.

Remember to move anticlockwise!

Key word: sacred

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ts Stage 5 – Following the rituals

Did you know? A new black cloth (kiswa) is made every year to cover the Ka‘ba. It weighs 2 tonnes.

Watch the film of Hajj rituals then draw lines to match the objects below with the correct ritual.

Draw a bottle to fill with Zamzam water. The water is sacred so your bottle should be special. Look at the bottles on display to get some ideas.

On the second day of Hajj Muslims visit Mount Arafat. The British Museum’s domed roof above you is 33 metres high. Mount Arafat is 37 metres higher. How high does this make Arafat?

Key word: ritual

Drinking Zamzam water

Stoning the pillars at Mina

Shaving or cutting hair for Eid al-Adha

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ts Stage 6 – Being a Hajji

Did you know? When Muslims come back from pilgrimage they sometimes add Hajji (for a man) or Hajja (for a woman) to their names.

Look for the display of souvenirs from Hajj. Which two things would you bring back from Mecca and why?

Find the colourful prayer cap from Nigeria. Hats like this are sometimes worn by people who have been on Hajj. Look closely at the designs on the cap and complete the picture opposite.

How do you think you would feel after completing Hajj? Choose two of these words to explain:

happy excited tired peaceful content

Key word: pilgrim

And finally…

Collect together the key words from each stage of the trail. You could use them to help you to write or talk about your journey through the exhibition when you get back to school.