The Hijaz at the Beginning of the 20th Century Through the Lens of a European Traveller

The Hijaz at the Beginning of the 20th Century Through the Lens of a European Traveller deals with the challenge of a Muslim transition from the old to a new order, especially in the Hijaz through the prism of Eldon Rutter’s travelogue. This is important because the world at that time was getting increasingly globalized and the relationships between the West and the Muslim world were turning out to be dynamic and precarious like never before. Both perils and opportunities abounded and were in full force. The focus is on the following themes: Eldon Rutter and his hajj mission; the age of socio-political uncertainties; the genius of Abdulaziz b. Al Saud; and the scale of future challenges.