The Black Stone

The Black Stone, Hajar Al-Aswad, is set in a silver frame in the south-east corner of the Ka’bah. It is the precise starting point of the seven circuits and pilgrims should, if possible, kiss or touch it. If they are unable to reach the Stone, because of the huge crowd, they must point at it. It has no special powers or symbolism. It is kissed only because the Prophet kissed it. Kenya's renowned photojournalist Mohamed Amin portrays these crowning moments in the life of men, rich and poor, from places as far apart as Malaysia and Mali, Nigeria and Japan, Indonesia and Iraq. He was among the first to be given permission to photograph sections of the Sacred Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina.