Performing Hajj from Palestine: Beyond Barriers to Spiritual Fulfillment

This chapter examines the complex interplay between the Palestinian Hajj experience and geopolitical realities, including the Israeli occupation, relations with neighboring countries, and Saudi Arabia’s custodianship of sacred sites. The author emphasizes significant differences in the barriers that prospective Palestinian pilgrims need to overcome depending on whether they live in the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, Israel, or the diaspora. At the same time, the Hajj provides an opportunity for transcending Israeli restrictions by connecting with other Palestinians, regardless of their place of residence. The pilgrimage also highlights the sometimes paradoxical nature of Saudi Arabia’s relationship with Palestine: amid geopolitical competition among regional powers, Saudi authorities generously offer all-expenses-paid pilgrimages to families of Palestinian martyrs while simultaneously fostering ties with Israel and the West. Ultimately, Palestinian Hajj narratives portray the pilgrimage as both a cherished opportunity for spiritual fulfillment and a crucial means for strengthening Palestinian identity and solidarity.