Cobbold Evelyn Zainab (Lady)

A la rencontre d'Allah, la conversion d'une artistocrate anglaise et son pèlerinage à La Mecque et à Medine / Al-Bahth Aan Allah, islam nabila inklyzya wa hijjouha ila Mecca wa Medina, Al Maktaba Al Ahlia, Beyrouth, 1353h (1934) In-8, paperback, 136p, 2 illustrations and 1 map of the Hedjaz First edition in Arabic of the pilgrimage report, published in London in 1934, of Lady Zainab Cobbold, the first British woman to make the pilgrimage to Mecca in 1933. The publisher "Al Maktaba Al Ahlia" specializes in translating into Arabic books published in Great Britain dealing with the Hedjaz (pilgrimage, biography of King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud...). An innovative and unique story which, on publication, was a huge bestseller and received media coverage throughout the Muslim world. Hafiz Wahba, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to London and facilitator of the Cobbold pilgrimage, presented it as follows on its release: "[...] this book is of major interest to Muslims and non-Muslims alike, as it conveys to Muslims the feelings of the first English woman to complete the pilgrimage, and for non-Muslims an unprecedented account of the pilgrimage, bringing together its description, its reality, its history, its benefits and its reflections [...]". An account to be compared with that of the first British convert to travel to Mecca: "From Drury Lane to Mecca, Being an Account of the strange Life and Adventures of Hedley Churchward (also known as Mahmoud Mobarek Churchward) an english convert to Islam, London, Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd, 1931" (cf. Millon sales June 14, 2023 and December 4, 2023). Lady Zainab Cobbold (1867-1963) was a Scottish aristocrat fascinated by the Orient, which she discovered as a child during visits to Algiers and Cairo, where she learned Arabic. Her attraction to Islam led her to convert in 1915 and adopt the Muslim name "Zainab". In 1933, at the age of 65, she made a pilgrimage to Mecca, where she met King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud and his son Faycal. Lady Zainab Cobbold (1867-1963) was a Scottish aristocrat who was fascinated by the East, which she discovered as a child when she spent time in Algiers and Cairo, where she learned Arabic. It was there that she felt an attraction to Islam, which led her to convert in 1915 and take the Muslim name "Zainab". In 1933, at the age of 65, she made a pilgrimage to Mecca, where she met King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud and his son Faycal.