البحر الأحمر و دوره في خدمة حجاج المغرب العربي

Abstract EN

After arriving in Egyptian land, Moroccan pilgrims followed two main rode imposed by political and security conditions inside Egypt and in the Hejaz.

one, which heads north and cross Sinai and al-Hijaz , the other is heading towards the southern red sea ports .

Moroccan pilgrims also crossed the red sea from its north through the ports of el Taur and Suez in a southerly direction to dock in the ports of Hejaz in Yanbu and Jeddah.

we therefore see the central role played by the red sea in the network of pilgrimages to the region and the link of the Hejaz country to the western of the Islamic world.

through the information provided in history books, we are able to map out some of the arrangements for pilgrims to cross the red sea.

the most important of these are the provision of various means of maritime transport, the establishment of pilgrims’ gathering centres at anchors and ports bordering the red sea, the construction of customs houses, health centres and the postal system.

these facilities were limited in their effectiveness by the security and political conditions in the region, especially after the increase in crusades, as well as the impact of international shifts in trade routes with the beginning of the modern era and the shift of trade from the red sea to the cape of good hope.