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Journey to Mecca

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The start of a new Journey

This is the first lens in my quest or journey to write 30 lenses about Explorers.

I thought it was fitting to start off with a lens about a journey - a journey that was orginally made over 700 years ago. It's been a long time coming, but finally the movie about that journey was made last year in 2010.


Ibn Battuta was travelling around Africa, Asia and the Middle East at around the same time as his contemporary Marco Polo was travelling from Europe to China.

Ibn Battuta even wrote a book about his travels, just as Marco Polo did. However history has not been so kind to Ibn Battuta. His book and his journey are nowhere near as well known or as familiar as Marco Polo's book and journey are.

Photo Source

Journey to Mecca

Journey to Mecca

This IMAX movie - Journey to Mecca - was made in the year 2010. It is 28 minutes long and was narrated by Anglo-Indian Actor Ben Kingsley (who played Ghandi in the movie of that name). Poster Source

In the footsteps of Ibn Battuta

Ibn BattutaIbn Battuta was born in Tangiers, Morocco around 1304 CE. In 1325 CE he left home to make the required Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca that all muslims are required to (attempt to) make at least once in their lifetimes.

Ibn Battuta did not return home for almost 30 years. His journeys ranged from Morocco, and Spain all the way to China. and he made the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, a total of 5 times.

When Ibn Battuta finally did return home, he was encouraged to write a book about his journeys. It is called the Rihla or Journeys or Book of Travels.

This movie is specifically about his first Hajj to Mecca. According to the map Ibn Battuta travelled along the top of North Africa from Morocco to Egypt and then travelled north to Damascus. He then joined a very large caravan that was travelling from Damascus south to Mecca for the Hajj. This first journey took 18 months to complete.

Image - This representation of Ibn Battuta was painted for the Ibn Battuta Mall which was built in Dubai in 2005. Picture Source - Wikimedia commons

Journey to Mecca

You can watch the trailer of the IMAX movie and a short Behind the Scenes documentary.
Video 1 - Trailer for Journey to Mecca
Video 2 - Behind the scenes of Journey to Mecca
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Books about Ibn Battuta

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Now available on DVD

DVD and Blu Ray available from May 10, 2011
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Ibn Battuta - the Animated TV Series

This TV animation series (in English) was made by a Malaysian Animation company called In-Fusion Solutions. Below are short previews of each episode. This is the TV series website
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Resources about Ibn Battuta

Journey to Mecca
Official IMAX movie website
The Longest Hajj of Ibn Battuta
Saudi Aramco World Magazine
Ibn Battuta Animated TV Series
Official website for TV series - based in Malaysia
Journey to Mecca - IMAX Movie
Wikipedia
Ibn Battuta
Wikipedia
The Rihla - Ibn Battuta's Book of Travels
Wikipedia

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So, have you seen this IMAX movie?

  • Gloriousconfusion Sep 13, 2011 @ 8:33 am | delete
    I hadn't heard of this movie, let alone seen it - I may now be tempted. I've ventured into the desert outside Abu Dhabi, flown over the Sahara desert many times, and travelled by train through the Kalahari Dessert....and I loved the films of Laurence of Arabia and Ice Cold in Alex. So, in effect, I've been there, read the comic and seen the movie, and even read the books (The Seven Pillars of Wisdom and the Q'ran). Congratulations on your Purple Star, Serenia
  • Ladymermaid Jul 21, 2011 @ 4:42 pm | delete
    Good luck on your traveling quest. May your journey be a pleasant one.
  • julietarot Jul 21, 2011 @ 1:22 pm | delete
    I think this lens is really informative,I knew muslims should try to go to mecca once, but didn't know the reason behind it.Thankyou.
  • OhMe Jul 21, 2011 @ 12:58 am | delete
    No, I haven't seen the movie yet and in fact, I had never heard of Ibn Battuta so really appreciate the Heads Up.
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Serenia

I am Serenia from Canada (and New Zealand)
I won LOTD on April 26, 2011
Purple Stars - 10 at last count
Angel for the following categories -
Weste... more »

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