Expert details significance of pilgrimage in different religions

Professor Mohammad Legenhausen named pilgrimage a concern even for non-believers and enumerated the physical location, arrangements, the sacred figure, and even the management of the holy sites as influential matters in pilgrimage to sacred places.

“The role of praying and pilgrimage is indisputable in all faiths; therefore, pilgrimage is a major concern in ‘comparative theology’”, said Prof. Mohammad Legenhausen, asserting that pilgrimage was a concern even for non-believers.

Speaking in the scientific meeting of ‘Pilgrimage in Comparative Theology’ held by Islamic Faiths and Religions departments in Islamic Research Foundation of Imam Reza shrine, the philosophy lecturer pointed to the history of pilgrimage in the West. “Temple pilgrimage used to be obligatory in Judaism. Yet, it lost its status in the wake of Temple destruction (587/586 B.C.E.), and is currently a ritual, not a religious duty. Circumambulation is another matter of interest in pilgrimage present in almost all faiths. It’s not prominent in Christianity, though. The circumambulated thing is of no special significance in other faiths”.

He further talked about pilgrimage in Christianity, adding, “Going to Jerusalem on pilgrimage gained currency from the 4th century AD onward. Christian outlook on pilgrimage originated from the Bible, ancient Greece and Rome, and pastoral scriptures”.

The American philosopher continued that Christians would go on pilgrimage to the sites where Christ’s Passions took place; hence, pilgrimage of Jerusalem was of utmost importance for comparative theology with Islam. “The Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628, at the holy Prophet’s era, was even over pilgrimage”.

Citing pilgrimage as a way of approaching God, the expert said: “We intend to get closer to God via pilgrimage. In fact, performing Hajj rituals symbolizes this, and the holy shrines are God’s place”.