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Pilgrimage Certificates

Pilgrimage certificates are valuable testimonies to the completion of the Hajj and journeys to the holy sites of Islam. Combining calligraphy, iconography, and devotion, they preserve the memory of one of the most significant events in a believer’s life while reflecting the artistic traditions of the diverse regions of the Muslim world.

The ADLANIA Foundation’s collection of pilgrimage certificates brings together documents from different historical periods and cultural spheres. Often adorned with depictions of the Kaaba, the Prophet’s Mosque, the holy sites of Mecca and Medina, or the various stages of the pilgrimage, these certificates combine religious texts, invocations, sacred imagery, and calligraphic compositions into works of both spiritual and artistic significance.

Beyond their documentary value, these certificates bear witness to the central role of pilgrimage in the religious life of Muslims and to its enduring place in both individual and collective memory. Through this selection, the ADLANIA Foundation contributes to the preservation and promotion of an iconographic and spiritual heritage that illustrates the enduring bond between believers and the holy sites of Islam across the centuries.

View of the Kaaba and the Holy Sites of Mecca

ICO 152

An illustrated pilgrimage certificate centered on the Kaaba within the Great Mosque of Mecca. Surrounding the principal sanctuary are depictions of several sites associated with the rites of the Hajj and the sacred history of the city, accompanied by calligraphic inscriptions and devotional formulas. Designed as both a pilgrimage keepsake and an object of devotion, this document celebrates the centrality of the Sacred House in Islamic spirituality while preserving the memory of the holy places visited by pilgrims.

Estimated date: Late 19th – early 20th century

Geographical origin: Ottoman world or the Arabian Peninsula

Illustrated Pilgrimage Certificate of the Holy Sites of Islam

ICO 144

Pilgrimage certificate depicting the Kaaba in Mecca, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The composition is enriched with numerous medallions illustrating other sacred sites and sanctuaries associated with the sacred history of Islam, together with Qur’anic verses and calligraphic inscriptions. Conceived as both a souvenir of the Hajj and an object of devotion, this document reflects the central place of Islam’s holy sites in the religious memory of Muslims and in the iconographic traditions of pilgrimage.

Estimated date: Late 19th – early 20th century

Geographical provenance: Late Ottoman world

Pilgrimage Certificate Depicting the Holy Sites of Islam

ICO 133

Illustrated pilgrimage certificate depicting several of Islam’s principal holy sites, including the Kaaba in Mecca, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Framed by Qur’anic verses, devotional prayers, and calligraphic inscriptions, the composition combines religious devotion, the commemoration of the pilgrimage, and a symbolic representation of the most revered sanctuaries of the Muslim world. Intended to commemorate the completion of the Hajj or to inspire the piety of the faithful, this document reflects the richness of the popular traditions associated with the pilgrimage.

Estimated date: Late 19th – early 20th century

Geographical origin: Ottoman world

View of Mecca, Medina, and the Principal Sanctuaries of the Pilgrimage

ICO 253

An illustrated pilgrimage certificate depicting the two holiest sanctuaries of Islam: the Kaaba within the Great Mosque of Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. The central composition is surrounded by vignettes portraying various sacred sites associated with the Hajj and Islamic history. Created as a commemorative keepsake of the pilgrimage, this document combines religious iconography, calligraphy, and the remembrance of the holy places visited by pilgrims.

Estimated date: Late 19th – early 20th century

Geographical origin: Arabian Peninsula

View of the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina

ICO 138

A devotional image depicting the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, recognizable by its iconic Green Dome and soaring minarets. Framed by a colorful floral border and accompanied by calligraphic inscriptions, this composition celebrates one of the holiest sites in Islam and evokes the spiritual bond that unites believers with the city of the Prophet Muhammad. Widely distributed as an object of devotion or as a pilgrimage souvenir, it reflects the central place of Medina in the religious imagination of Muslims.

Estimated date: 20th century

Geographical provenance: Late Ottoman world

View of the Prophet’s Mosque and the Holy Sites of Medina

ICO 153

Illustrated pilgrimage certificate depicting the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, crowned by the Green Dome. The composition also features several iconic sites associated with the city’s sacred history, including the Qubāʾ Mosque, Mount Uḥud, and the Rawḍa. Intended as a commemorative keepsake of the Hajj or a devotional visit to Medina, this image combines representations of holy sanctuaries, religious calligraphy, and an expression of devotion to the Prophet Muḥammad.

Estimated date: Late 19th century – first half of the 20th century

Geographical origin: Arabian Peninsula

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The manuscripts, documents, photographs, heritage objects, works, and other collections presented on this website are owned by the ADLANIA Foundation or are reproduced with the authorization of their owners or rights holders.

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The photographs of the manuscripts, objects, works of art, and other heritage items presented on this website were taken by photographer Abdou Diouri as part of his collaboration with the ADLANIA Foundation.

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Strictly necessary cookies required for the operation of the website are placed automatically. Other categories of cookies, including those used for audience measurement or provided by third-party services, are only used after the user's consent has been obtained, where required by applicable law.

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Legal Information

Intellectual Property

All content available on this website, including but not limited to texts, photographs, manuscripts, images, illustrations, videos, digitized documents, logos, databases, graphic elements, and other materials, is protected under Swiss and international copyright and intellectual property laws.

Except with the prior written authorization of the ADLANIA Foundation or the relevant rights holders, any reproduction, representation, distribution, adaptation, or exploitation, whether in whole or in part, of this content, by any means or on any medium whatsoever, is prohibited.

The reproductions of the works and documents presented on this website are made available exclusively for purposes of preservation, research, scientific, cultural, and heritage enhancement.

Collections and Archives

The manuscripts, documents, photographs, heritage objects, works of art, and other collections presented on this website are owned by the ADLANIA Foundation or are reproduced with the authorization of their owners or rights holders.

The manuscripts, documents, photographs, heritage objects, works, and other collections presented on this website are owned by the ADLANIA Foundation or are reproduced with the authorization of their owners or rights holders.

Collection Photographs

The photographs of the manuscripts, objects, works of art, and other heritage items presented on this website were taken by photographer Abdou Diouri as part of his collaboration with the ADLANIA Foundation.

These photographs are protected by copyright.

Any reproduction, display, distribution, modification, or use, whether in whole or in part and in any form whatsoever, is prohibited without the prior written authorization of the ADLANIA Foundation and, where applicable, the relevant rights holders.

Privacy Policy

The ADLANIA Foundation is committed to protecting the personal data of visitors to this website. The information collected through contact forms, information requests, registrations, or orders is used exclusively to respond to users' inquiries, manage communications, process orders, and improve the services provided.

Personal data is neither sold, rented, nor disclosed to third parties, except where required by law or when necessary for the provision of a service requested by the user.

In accordance with applicable data protection legislation, each user has the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict the processing of, and, where applicable, object to the processing of their personal data.

Any request may be addressed to the ADLANIA Foundation using the contact details provided on the website.

Cookie Policy

This website uses cookies to ensure its proper functioning, enhance the browsing experience, and, where applicable, measure website traffic.

Strictly necessary cookies required for the operation of the website are placed automatically. Other categories of cookies, including those used for audience measurement or provided by third-party services, are only used after the user's consent has been obtained, where required by applicable law.

The user may, at any time, manage or withdraw their consent through their browser settings or via the cookie consent manager, where available.