In 2003 Ilija Trojanow traveled from Mumbai to Mecca: His travelogue, in the tradition of the rihla, one of the oldest genres of classical Arabic literature, describes the Hajj, the pilgrimage to the holy sites of Islam, through the eyes of a Westener, but with the heart of a Muslim.

Ilija Trojanow was born in Bulgaria in 1965. After fleeing his homeland via Yugoslavia and Italy, he was granted political asylum in Germany. He spent ten years in Kenya and five years in Mumbai, before moving to Capetown in 2003.

Reviews:

'Trojanow portrays a magnificent journey defined by contrasts... Non-believers are still banned from Islam’s Holiest city: this short book may be the best substitute for going there.’ - FINANCIAL TIMES Magazine