Estimating the Impact of the Hajj: Religion and Tolerance in Islam’s Global Gathering

We estimate the impact on pilgrims of performing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Ourmethod compares successful and unsuccessful applicants in a lottery used byPakistan to allocate Hajj visas. Pilgrim accounts stress that the Hajj leads to a feelingof unity with fellow Muslims, but outsiders have sometimes feared that this could beaccompanied by antipathy toward non-Muslims. We find that participation in theHajj increases observance of global Islamic practices such as prayer and fasting whiledecreasing participation in localized practices and beliefs such as the use of amuletsand dowry. It increases belief in equality and harmony among ethnic groups andIslamic sects and leads to more favorable attitudes toward women, including greateracceptance of female education and employment. Increased unity within the Islamicworld is not accompanied by antipathy toward non-Muslims. Instead, Hajjis showincreased belief in peace, and in equality and harmony among adherents of differentreligions. The evidence suggests that these changes are more a result of exposure toand interaction with Hajjis from around the world, rather than religious instructionor a changed social role of pilgrims upon return.