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A question for Middle East Twitter:
Throughout history, how common was it for Arab Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land to use the honorary title “Hajj/ Hajja” (حاج/حاجة) like their Muslim counterparts who visited Mecca and Medina?
Throughout history, how common was it for Arab Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land to use the honorary title “Hajj/ Hajja” (حاج/حاجة) like their Muslim counterparts who visited Mecca and Medina?
I should explain: This detail pops up in Amin Maalouf’s novel “The Rock of Tanios” (p. 26) about village life in Mt. Lebanon during the 19th century. A character appears who is called “Hajja” for having visited the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
The examples from Cyprus are very interesting, though I wonder whether those reflect the use of “Hajj” as a general title of respect vs. a specific title for one who has completed a pilgrimage?
