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Pilgrim Prioritisation Of Religious Activities: Time Use-Based Behavioural Approach In Iran, Hossein Akbari, Abolfazl Hosseini, Mahla Mohammadi Jun 2024

Pilgrim Prioritisation Of Religious Activities: Time Use-Based Behavioural Approach In Iran, Hossein Akbari, Abolfazl Hosseini, Mahla Mohammadi

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The present study investigates the time-use activities of pilgrims at their religious destination. The time diary was used to describe the behaviour of pilgrims who came on a pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad (Iran) in sufficient detail to measure the overall duration and continuous records of activities. According to the findings, pilgrims spend most of their time on necessary and religious activities, respectively. Free time and shopping activities were also among their other activities. Pilgrims were categorised into three clusters: Active Pilgrims, Tourist-Pilgrims, and Non-active or Passive Pilgrims. Active Pilgrims are mostly involved in religious …


Factors Affecting Revisit Intentions At Spiritual-Cultural Tourist Destinations In Vietnam, Vien Van Vu, Cong Chi Le, Thinh Van Nguyen Jun 2024

Factors Affecting Revisit Intentions At Spiritual-Cultural Tourist Destinations In Vietnam, Vien Van Vu, Cong Chi Le, Thinh Van Nguyen

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This study explores and tests the different factors affecting the revisit intentions of visitors to spiritual-cultural tourist destinations in Vietnam. A sample of 460 tourists participated in the study, which used AMOS software to test the relationship between the constructs and evaluate their reliability and validity. The research findings confirm that tourist satisfaction helps mediate the relationship between each emotional factor and visitors’ intentions to revisit spiritual-cultural sites. Four factors influencing tourist satisfaction in Vietnam are: (1) individual learning and research needs; (2) personal preference; (3) perceived value of site; and (4) religious belief. The fi ndings from the tests …


Business Operators’ Perception Of The Impact Of The Portuguese Way Of St. James, Paula Remoaldo, Eduardo Duque, Vítor Ribeiro, José Cadima Ribeiro, Hélder Silva Lopes, Sandro Ferreira, Cátia Faria Jun 2024

Business Operators’ Perception Of The Impact Of The Portuguese Way Of St. James, Paula Remoaldo, Eduardo Duque, Vítor Ribeiro, José Cadima Ribeiro, Hélder Silva Lopes, Sandro Ferreira, Cátia Faria

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This research aims to analyse business operators’ perception of the impact of the Portuguese Way of St. James and to assess the landscape situation along a total section of 115 kilometres. Perceptions were collected in a survey of 112 small operators between 2020 and 2021. The diversity and singular components of the landscape make it a pleasant route to experience, where pilgrims have the possibility to improve wellbeing, and enjoy the landscape. Operators have profited from the significant increase in the number of pilgrims walking along the Way and claim that they aim to continue their operations.


Ten-Day Holy Land Tour: Long-Lasting Effects On Protestant Travellers, Sherene J. Hattingh Jun 2024

Ten-Day Holy Land Tour: Long-Lasting Effects On Protestant Travellers, Sherene J. Hattingh

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This qualitative study investigated the long-lasting effects of an average tour to the Holy Land on travellers of the same faith. Data were collected using written interviews, diary entries, observations and communications at least one year after Protestant travellers returned from their planned trip. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data through the three phases of noting, encoding and then interpreting important aspects. The findings show these faith travellers invested themselves into the trip before, during and after, as part of their committed faith formation. Any faith-based reader would be interested in the results that evidence long-lasting effects for …


Exploring Pilgrims’ Perceptions Of Islamic Tour Operators In The United Kingdom: Insights For Improved Services, Shabir Ahmad, Kamran Siddiqui Jan 2024

Exploring Pilgrims’ Perceptions Of Islamic Tour Operators In The United Kingdom: Insights For Improved Services, Shabir Ahmad, Kamran Siddiqui

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

In recent years, religious tourism has gained popularity worldwide, with millions of people travelling to different destinations for religious purposes. The United Kingdom has a growing Muslim population, and Islamic religious tourism is no exception. However, little research has been conducted on the pilgrim’s perceptions of Islamic religious tour operators in the United Kingdom. Understanding these perceptions is essential for tour operators to provide better services and attract more customers. The present study aims to contribute to Islamic tourism research by assessing the perceptions of pilgrims toward religious tour operators in the United Kingdom. Employing a snowball sampling technique, this …


Exploring The Potential Of Halal Tourism In A Non-Muslim Destination: The Case Of Portugal, João Domingues, Sofia Almeida Jan 2024

Exploring The Potential Of Halal Tourism In A Non-Muslim Destination: The Case Of Portugal, João Domingues, Sofia Almeida

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Halal Tourism has emerged as one of the most rapidly growing and auspicious market segments within the tourism industry. The main goal of this study is to ascertain whether Portugal has the necessary capabilities to develop a sustainable and competitive halal tourism market and if it can attract Muslim travellers. This research applied a qualitative methodology based on in-depth interviews with representatives of businesses companies and institutions from various subsectors of the tourism industry. Moreover, a netnographic technique was applied to gather secondary information. The results reveal that despite Portugal having full potential and all the conditions to develop halal …


Religious Tourism At Tana Chirkos & St. Kirstos Semra: Contemporary Issues And Prospects For Sustainable Tourism, Dagnachew Nega Jan 2024

Religious Tourism At Tana Chirkos & St. Kirstos Semra: Contemporary Issues And Prospects For Sustainable Tourism, Dagnachew Nega

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Religious tourism is not a new phenomenon or new practice. It has recently received considerable attention in both academia and the public at large. However, even though Ethiopia is endowed with a variety of religious tourism activities, its contemporary issues, and future prospects haven’t been utilised, outlined and managed. In the Amhara region, in the South Gondar zone, Tana Chirkos and Kirstos Semra are among the outstanding sites where lots of religious travellers are going and religious tourism activities are held. Thus, this study stands with the general objective of investigating the issues and future prospects of religious tourism development …


Tools To Persevere Towards A Challenging Goal: Lessons Learned About Grit Along The Way Of St. James, Ana Rita Nunes, Tânia Moreira, Armanda Pereira, Cleia Zanatta, Luísa Mota Ribeiro, Pedro Rosário Jan 2024

Tools To Persevere Towards A Challenging Goal: Lessons Learned About Grit Along The Way Of St. James, Ana Rita Nunes, Tânia Moreira, Armanda Pereira, Cleia Zanatta, Luísa Mota Ribeiro, Pedro Rosário

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Understanding the factors contributing to increased perseverance and passion toward long-term goals is an ongoing research challenge. The present study explores the inner drive of individuals to achieve meaningful goals over time, despite setbacks and challenges. The scenario chosen to uncover grit processes was the Way of St. James, a long pilgrimage demanding participants’ perseverance and passion for achieving their goals, despite hardship. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty-one individuals completing the Way of St. James. Thematic analysis indicated three key themes contributing to improve the participants’ perseverance along the walk: behavioural tools (e.g., setting behavioural and time management goals), …


Santuario (Shrines): The Sustainable Religious Tourism Management Of Selected Philippine Congregation-Managed Marian Shrines, Janine Patricia P. Chuajap, Rizyl May C. Diamante, Angela Gabrielle S. Donguez, Francesca D. Metrillo, Chrisalyn O. Miralles, Renz Vincent C. Quicio, Roland D. Mactal, Jame Monren T. Mercado Jan 2024

Santuario (Shrines): The Sustainable Religious Tourism Management Of Selected Philippine Congregation-Managed Marian Shrines, Janine Patricia P. Chuajap, Rizyl May C. Diamante, Angela Gabrielle S. Donguez, Francesca D. Metrillo, Chrisalyn O. Miralles, Renz Vincent C. Quicio, Roland D. Mactal, Jame Monren T. Mercado

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This study assesses how sustainable tourism management is implemented in selected Philippine Marian Shrines, managed by religious congregations. In conducting the study, the researchers used a qualitative case study approach, as the data were collected using Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The study’s key informants (n=27) are the stakeholders of the two selected study sites. These include the congregation, staff members, tourism-related business owners, Barangay government representatives, local police officers, and local tourism representatives. The Repertory Grid methodology was utilised to analyse the data gathered. From the findings, the researchers developed the I.T.S.P. (Immersion, Tutelage, Stewardship, and Proposition): Sustainable Religious Tourism …


Spiritual Experience At The Arbaeen Pilgrimage: The Case Of Iranian Pilgrims, Ali Movahed, Mehdi Moazzeni, Behnam Kian Jan 2024

Spiritual Experience At The Arbaeen Pilgrimage: The Case Of Iranian Pilgrims, Ali Movahed, Mehdi Moazzeni, Behnam Kian

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Pilgrimages and other trips with spiritual motivation are one of the first forms of tourism, and today pilgrimage tourism in all its forms has become an important part of the global tourism market. The Arbaeen pilgrimage on foot is a memorable journey on the way to Karbala in Iraq, and most pilgrims, especially Iranians, choose to walk to Karbala from the city of Najaf for this purpose. The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of Iranian pilgrims who participate in the Arbaeen pilgrimage on foot and to explore what the pilgrims themselves say about their experiences, as …


Integration Of Islamic Religious Values And Javanese Culture In The Development Of Pilgrimage Tourism In Ngawonggo, Indonesia, Mahatva Yoga Adi Pradana, Darsono Wisadirana, Muhammad Lukman Hakim, Ahmad Imron Rozuli Jan 2024

Integration Of Islamic Religious Values And Javanese Culture In The Development Of Pilgrimage Tourism In Ngawonggo, Indonesia, Mahatva Yoga Adi Pradana, Darsono Wisadirana, Muhammad Lukman Hakim, Ahmad Imron Rozuli

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Spiritual tourism prioritising religious aspects, is one of East Java’s oldest forms of tourism, especially in Malang district. This form of tourism has long developed since combining Islamic and Javanese values. The concept emerged along with the Indonesian halal tourism brand. As a form of contribution to the development of religious tourism, this study seeks to show the existence of traditional relations in aspects of Islamic pilgrimage as a form of tourist behaviour which involves visiting historical tourism in tourist villages. This research uses a qualitative methods with a case study which includes interviews and participatory observation that aims to …


Peregrinatio Interrupta: An Eclectic Success Of A Failed Pilgrimage, Noel Buttigieg, Dane Munro Sep 2023

Peregrinatio Interrupta: An Eclectic Success Of A Failed Pilgrimage, Noel Buttigieg, Dane Munro

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This study explores the case study of two Quaker nuns, Ms Catherine Evans and Ms Sarah Cheevers. Their coincidental connection with the Mediterranean island of Malta caught the attention of several researchers, primarily interested in the micro history of the Quakers movement. Originally, Evans and Cheevers were entrusted to travel to Jerusalem, expecting to convert Christians at the epicentre of Christianity to Quakerism. After their ship called into the port of Malta en route to the Holy Land, their mission was interrupted due to their polarising and confrontational behaviour towards the Holy Office of the Roman Inquisition. Their intended short …


Fearless Women Travellers: Religion And More, Antonietta Ivona, Donatella Privitera Sep 2023

Fearless Women Travellers: Religion And More, Antonietta Ivona, Donatella Privitera

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The term ‘pilgrim’ is derived from the notion of pilgrimage. Historically a pilgrim was as a person who walked to a shrine or holy place out of religious motivation. Also, the experience of pilgrimage embodies the pilgrim’s desire to seek or manifest his or her identity and value as a person. Using gender as a lens, women in all cultures, sometimes even without the ability to read or write, have found ways to travel in spiritual ways of knowing. The testimonies of women travellers go back a long way in the centuries; there are many who have challenged the risks …


Representation Of Pre-Christian Baltic Religion In The Balts’ Road Tourism Route In Lithuania And Latvia, Michael Strmiska Aug 2023

Representation Of Pre-Christian Baltic Religion In The Balts’ Road Tourism Route In Lithuania And Latvia, Michael Strmiska

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The Balts’ Road tourism route in Latvia and Lithuania is an interesting example of how religious tourism may be packaged within a framework of cultural heritage tourism. The Balts’ Road offers travellers insight into the medieval Baltic world before the coming of Christianity. In this context, pre-Christian religious beliefs and practices constitute but one dimension of the historical tableau that the tourism route is intended to conjure. This article examines the manner in which the pre-Christian Baltic religion is represented on the Balts’ Road, displaying a certain ambivalence that seems related to the past religious history and current religious power …


Finding Data Pathways Through The ‘Pandemic Pilgrimage Boom’: Embedded-Like Research, Covid-19, And The British Pilgrimage Trust, Eleanor O’Keeffe Aug 2023

Finding Data Pathways Through The ‘Pandemic Pilgrimage Boom’: Embedded-Like Research, Covid-19, And The British Pilgrimage Trust, Eleanor O’Keeffe

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This article reviews claims that the United Kingdom experienced a ‘pandemic pilgrimage boom’. It contributes findings from an ‘embedded-like’ research project, which drew on data created by the British Pilgrimage Trust (BPT) – a heritage and wellbeing charity that hosts a website hub to support pilgrimage action in the UK – to debate about the impact of COVID-19 on pilgrimage practice. These findings show how a set of uses and meanings about pilgrimage, particularly its affordances for mental health and emotional wellbeing, have resonated during the pandemic, especially at moments of heightened social stress. This has generated greater social traction …


A Semester On The Road To Santiago: The Long-Term Impacts Of Walking The Camino De Santiago With A Family-Like Study Abroad Group, Douglas Challenger Jun 2023

A Semester On The Road To Santiago: The Long-Term Impacts Of Walking The Camino De Santiago With A Family-Like Study Abroad Group, Douglas Challenger

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

In this paper, research findings are presented from a small, longitudinal study using qualitative data on the long-term impacts of a unique, semester-long, study abroad program at Franklin Pierce University. In this programme, students study the history and contemporary renaissance of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and then walk the entire route in northern Spain as pilgrims. Alumni who participated in one of four trips conducted in the fall of 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017 were asked in 2022 to respond to five open-ended questions about how their semester abroad impacted their lives, to what degree they thought their study-abroad …


Exploring The Spiritual Dynamics Of Orthodox Religious Tourism: An In-Depth Study Of Visitor Experience At Osovica Monastery, Ivan Kosta, Anđelina Marić Stanković, Danijel Pavlović, Marija Bratić, Slobodan Čerović Jun 2023

Exploring The Spiritual Dynamics Of Orthodox Religious Tourism: An In-Depth Study Of Visitor Experience At Osovica Monastery, Ivan Kosta, Anđelina Marić Stanković, Danijel Pavlović, Marija Bratić, Slobodan Čerović

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Religious tourism is increasingly becoming a significant component of global tourism trends, contributing to a substantial increase in tourist traffic worldwide. This study focuses on analysing the motives, reasons, effects, and expectations of visiting Osovica Monastery, a recently renovated sanctuary of the Serbian Orthodox Church within the Banja Luka Diocese in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through a comprehensive literature review and empirical analysis, this research explores the motivations behind visiting the monastery, the impacts of these motivations on visitor satisfaction, and the factors influencing revisits and positive feedback. Utilising a methodological approach that incorporates both psychological and …


How Review Valence Benefits Umrah Sales Performance: The Moderating Role Of Price, Muhamad Izaidi Ishak, Amran Harun Jun 2023

How Review Valence Benefits Umrah Sales Performance: The Moderating Role Of Price, Muhamad Izaidi Ishak, Amran Harun

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The influence of online consumer reviews on a firm’s sales performance has not yet been investigated in the field of Umrah. In addition, the literature does not explain how price moderates the relationship between online consumer reviews and a firm’s sales performance. Thus, the research objective of this paper is to examine the influence of Umrah online consumer reviews, specifically review valence, on Umrah operator sales performance, with Umrah package price acting as the moderator. 82 Malaysian Umrah operators were involved in this study. The secondary data for Umrah online consumer reviews were collected from Google Maps reviews, which matched …


A Study On Islamic And Christian Missionary Work In The Top Twenty Global Economies, Tahir Sufi Dr, Mariya Malik Jun 2023

A Study On Islamic And Christian Missionary Work In The Top Twenty Global Economies, Tahir Sufi Dr, Mariya Malik

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Missionaries travel to promote religion or ‘faith’ among people worldwide. They also spearhead further education, social justice, health care, and economic development projects. However, over the years, missionaries have faced a backlash in several countries due to rising concerns for national security, secularism, and general attitude towards missionary work. In response to such concerns, our study investigates the approach of the world’s top twenty economies towards missionary work. The study explores if such countries permit missionary work, and if ‘yes,’ then ‘how’ missionaries are permitted to travel and under what conditions they are allowed to work in host countries. Finally, …


Applying The Extended Theory Of Planned Behaviour (Tpb) To Predict Behavioural Intention In The Context Of Transformational Tourism: A Case Of Nizamuddin Shrine, Samiha Siddiqui, Sujood ., Sheeba Hamid Jun 2023

Applying The Extended Theory Of Planned Behaviour (Tpb) To Predict Behavioural Intention In The Context Of Transformational Tourism: A Case Of Nizamuddin Shrine, Samiha Siddiqui, Sujood ., Sheeba Hamid

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The term ‘transformational tourism’ refers to a burgeoning subset of the travel market that goes well beyond the more established categories of just spiritual and religious tourism. This paper aims at examining tourists’ intentions to visit the Nizamuddin Shrine (Delhi) as a transformational tourism destination. The framework incorporates the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) i.e. Attitude, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioural Control with an additional construct, Motivation. A Google forms online survey was employed to gather data. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using AMOS software was employed to test the proposed hypotheses. A sample of 388 respondents was …


Intention To Revisit The Chariot Festival (Ratha Yatra): An Experience Economy Approach, Prakash Chandra Dash Dr., Mrutyunjay Dash Dr., Chandrakanta Sahoo Dr. Jun 2023

Intention To Revisit The Chariot Festival (Ratha Yatra): An Experience Economy Approach, Prakash Chandra Dash Dr., Mrutyunjay Dash Dr., Chandrakanta Sahoo Dr.

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The present study addresses visitors’ experiences at the world-famous Chariot Festival - Ratha Yatra - which is held every year at Shri Kshetra, Puri Dham in the state of Odisha, India. Empirical evidence is used to analyse how each of the experience dimension affects the overall event and to assess the likelihood of revisiting. In order to develop a conceptual framework for the study, a thorough review of the literature was conducted. The conceptual framework was then tested using a quantitative approach, in which data were gathered from a convenience sample of 295 respondents using a self-administered questionnaire. Finally, Structural …


Sustainable And Inclusive Spiritual Tourism Development In Bali As A Long-Term Post-Pandemic Strategy, Jaeyeon Choe, Luh Putu Mahyuni Jun 2023

Sustainable And Inclusive Spiritual Tourism Development In Bali As A Long-Term Post-Pandemic Strategy, Jaeyeon Choe, Luh Putu Mahyuni

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The COVID-19 pandemic caused devastating socio-economic impacts in tourism destinations around the world. Many governments and tourism authorities could use the pandemic to seek more sustainable tourism development futures; for example, pre-pandemic Bali’s ‘tourism boom’ barely benefited local people and local businesses because of economic leakage and ‘tourist bubbles’. With an increasing demand on spiritual travel in the post pandemic period, Bali is seeking new opportunities as a spiritual tourism destination. This opportunity is based on their rich cultural and natural resources, and living heritage that can be related to spiritual tourism activities. This spiritual tourism development can contribute to …


The Centrality Of Religious Festival Experience And Satisfaction On The Subjective Well-Being Of Visitors: Evidence From Udupi Paryaya Festival, Vidya Patwardhan, Keith Shirlvin Nigli, Jyothi Mallya, Valsaraj Payini Mar 2023

The Centrality Of Religious Festival Experience And Satisfaction On The Subjective Well-Being Of Visitors: Evidence From Udupi Paryaya Festival, Vidya Patwardhan, Keith Shirlvin Nigli, Jyothi Mallya, Valsaraj Payini

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Themed public celebrations, known as festivals, that explore and promote different aspects of local culture contribute significantly to the economic and social well-being of regions. They provide a distinctive image to the place and create a unique, shared, and memorable experience (ME) for visitors. In India, large-scale festivals represent a source of social interaction that generates positive socio-cultural, hedonic, and functional benefits, which are believed to increase happiness and, subsequently, subjective well-being. This paper explores the religious essence of the historic sacred religious site in Udupi, Krishna Matha. To do so, it examines visitors’ ME from attending a unique biennial …


Residents’ Perception And Support Before And After A Mega-Religious Event During Covid-19 In India, Devkant Kala, Dhani Shanker Chaubey Mar 2023

Residents’ Perception And Support Before And After A Mega-Religious Event During Covid-19 In India, Devkant Kala, Dhani Shanker Chaubey

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This study investigated residents’ perceptions, perceived risk, trust in government, and support for a mega-religious event during the COVID pandemic. The study was conducted in the setting of the Kumbh Mela, India’s largest peaceful gathering of Hindu pilgrims. The respondents in the survey rated thirty-two statements related to positive impact, negative impact, perceived risk, trust in government, and support for the mega-religious event. Levene’s test for equality of variances and an independent samples t-test were used to investigate differences in residents’ perception and support before and after the mega-religious event. The pre-event and post-event results indicate that respondents underestimated the …


Mapping Pilgrims’ Experience Of Walking The Saint James Way Through The Lens Of Self-Regulation, Clara Vieira, Jennifer Cunha, Ana Rita Nunes, Luísa Mota Ribeiro, Pedro Rosário Mar 2023

Mapping Pilgrims’ Experience Of Walking The Saint James Way Through The Lens Of Self-Regulation, Clara Vieira, Jennifer Cunha, Ana Rita Nunes, Luísa Mota Ribeiro, Pedro Rosário

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The Way of St. James is a very well-known and ancient pilgrimage, with various routes leading pilgrims to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, where the remains of Saint James are buried. Over the last few years, the experience of the pilgrimage and the growing number of pilgrims walking the Saint James Way have been attracting researchers’ attention. However, studies attempting to understand the pilgrims’ experience using a self-regulation lens are limited. Self-regulation may be defined as efforts made to manage individuals’ thoughts, emotions, and behaviours in the pursuit of long-term goals. Therefore, rooted in the self-regulation framework, …


Roles Of Religious Guides In Tourism: A Qualitative Study From Japan, Ricardo Nicolas Progano Dec 2022

Roles Of Religious Guides In Tourism: A Qualitative Study From Japan, Ricardo Nicolas Progano

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage travel has become an important element in contemporary tourism, as visitors flock to sacred locations (UNWTO, 2015). However, some aspects of pilgrimage travel remain relatively understudied, with one of them being the roles of guides in these locations. Based on previous academic works, the present study aims to bridge this gap by analysing the role of religious figures who engage in guiding activities aimed at the general public. For this, Shippōryū-ji, a Shugendō temple located in Japan, is presented as the case study. As previous research on the subject is scarce, a qualitative approach was deemed suitable. Utilising interview …


Salvation In A Palace: Luxurious Representation Of Political Spirituality In Iran, Zahra Khoshk Jan Nov 2022

Salvation In A Palace: Luxurious Representation Of Political Spirituality In Iran, Zahra Khoshk Jan

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The present study tries to answer this question: Why is the mausoleum of Imam Reza (a holy saint shrine) one of the most luxurious and expensive buildings in the world? By staying in Mashhad as a pilgrim, the researcher conducted 45 participatory and semi-structured interviews with pilgrims in two consecutive stages. For analysing the collected data, a qualitative research method was used based on Constructing Grounded Theory. The concept of ‘the politics of constructing spirituality’ as the core category referred to the fact that the main reasons for the luxury and magnificence of Imam Reza’s mausoleum in Iran, are as …


Redefining The Dimensions Of Spirituality And Pilgrimage In Religious Tourism: Iranian Pilgrimage Cities, Asghar Molaei Nov 2022

Redefining The Dimensions Of Spirituality And Pilgrimage In Religious Tourism: Iranian Pilgrimage Cities, Asghar Molaei

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage is one of the ways to acquire spirituality in the Shiite sect, and the shrines of the Imams are places of pilgrimage full of spirituality. Spirituality in Islam is one of the mental states of human beings, which has a high position in perfection from Shiite thought. Pilgrimage, as an Islamic custom and ethical practice, through the pattern of pilgrimage in religious, devotional, and prayer spaces can create spirituality for pilgrims. In line with the principles of praying and celebrating the rituals of God, the holy shrines of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) are important centres of interest in Iranian …


Contemporary Trends In The Theological Understanding Of Christian Pilgrimage, Piotr Roszak Nov 2022

Contemporary Trends In The Theological Understanding Of Christian Pilgrimage, Piotr Roszak

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This paper analyses the historical changes that have taken place in the Christian theology of pilgrimage from Patristics to the present time. Against that background, it identifies the core parameters of the theological debate on pilgrimage, including its foundation in the truths of the faith and its key dimensions. In view of attempts to reduce the essence of pilgrimage to phenomenological descriptions in contemporary analyses, the author proposes to take advantage of the explicatory potential of hylomorphism as a theory that differentiates between matter and form. When applied to pilgrimage, hylomorphism makes it possible to integrate theological perspectives with the …


Exploring The Experiences Of Women On Muslim Pilgrimage: A Study Of Hazaratbal Shrine In Kashmir, Ab Qayoom Shah, Professor Aneesa Shafi Nov 2022

Exploring The Experiences Of Women On Muslim Pilgrimage: A Study Of Hazaratbal Shrine In Kashmir, Ab Qayoom Shah, Professor Aneesa Shafi

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of women at Hazaratbal shrine in Kashmir also known as Madinut-ul-Sani (second Madina). In spite of growing interest of scholars in sacred tourism research, little efforts are made to examine female perception of holy shrine experiences. The authors collected data through interviews and participant observation of female pilgrims/visitors, at the shrine. The theoretical base of the study is the phenomenological work of Schultz. After the completion of analysis, five main categories of perceptions appeared which attract women visitors to Hazaratbal shrine namely prayer and worship, thanksgiving, healing, learning and heritage.