Makkah's hinterworlds: Jeddah, the Indian Ocean Hajj, and Southeast Asia

Historic Jeddah, the 'Gate to Makkah,' is increasingly redeveloped under Saudi Vision 2030, despite its rich vernacular urban patterns and historic significance. This review essay highlights three key works that explore Jeddah's role in global pilgrimage networks, its Ottoman and British colonial legacies, and the experiences of Indonesian migrants—both pilgrims and laborers—in the Arab world. The studies reveal how Jeddah's urban transformation, marked by large-scale demolitions and forced evictions, contrasts with its historical cosmopolitanism and resilience. They also underscore the complex interplay between imperial histories, mobility, and contemporary urban development in the Hijaz region.

Allouache, Y.-A. (2024). Makkah’s hinterworlds: Jeddah, the Indian Ocean Hajj, and Southeast Asia. Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography, 45(2), 403–412. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjtg.12547