Mahmal

The Mahmal (Arabic: مَحْمَل‎, pronounced [ˈmaħmal]) was a richly ornamented, ceremonial palanquin or litter that was carried annually on a camel from Cairo to Mecca and Medina during the Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage. It symbolized the sovereignty of the Egyptian sultans or later, the Khedives of Egypt, over the holy cities.

The practice originated during the Mamluk Sultanate, possibly during the reign of Sultan Baybars in the 13th century. Its primary purpose was to accompany the pilgrims and provide them with a symbol of authority and protection. The Mahmal was also a sign of Egyptian largesse, as it was often accompanied by substantial gifts and aid for the residents of Mecca and Medina.

The Mahmal itself was a wooden frame covered in elaborate textiles, often embroidered with silver and gold thread, and adorned with Quranic verses and royal insignias. A turban, typically green, was placed atop the Mahmal, further emphasizing its religious significance. The Mahmal was transported on a specially trained camel, which was treated with great respect and fanfare throughout the journey.

The Mahmal procession was a major event in Cairo and along the pilgrimage route, attracting large crowds of onlookers. It represented not only religious devotion but also political power and cultural identity.

The practice continued under Ottoman rule, with the Ottoman governors of Egypt maintaining the tradition. Following the establishment of the Khedivate of Egypt under Muhammad Ali and his successors, the Mahmal continued to be sent annually.

The tradition of sending the Egyptian Mahmal to Mecca ended in 1926. King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia, after consolidating his control over the Hijaz, banned the Egyptian Mahmal, viewing it as a symbol of foreign political interference and potentially encouraging idolatry. Smaller, less elaborate Mahmals were sent subsequently by other Islamic countries, but the grandeur and political significance of the Egyptian Mahmal were never replicated. The term Mahmal has occasionally been used since to refer to other forms of ceremonial conveyance during the Hajj.