by Hassen Fekih
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MECCA, Saudi Arabia, Jan 3, 2007 (AFP) - Hajj pilgrims will head back home from Mecca carrying not just the memory of the ultimate spiritual experience in Islam but also gifts for beloved ones, with prayer beads a hot favorite.
From the cheapest versions worth just a few cents to the costly varieties made of gemstones, the easy-to-pack prayer beads come second only to bottles of "divine" water from the spring of Zamzam in Mecca, which Muslims believe originated from heaven.
"I bought them for 50 riyals (13 dollars) from Mecca and am taking a few for relatives and other beloved ones," said Yemeni pilgrim Saleh al-Harazi, showing off his newly acquired prayer beads.
"It's not the price that matters, but where I bought it from," said Harazi, one of nearly 2.4 million Muslim faithful from around the world who took part in this year's annual hajj pilgrimage ending Tuesday.
American University in Cairo lecturer Mustafa al-Burei said the most luxurious prayer beads were those made of gemstones, while those made of ivory or sandalwood were also considered good buys.
"Prayer beads made of amber or onyx can fetch as much as 5,000 riyals (1,300 dollars)," he said.
Ivory prayer beads would cost around 300 riyals (80 dollars) apiece, Burei said.
Expensive prayer beads -- known as "masbaha" in Arabic -- can sometimes serve as more than a means of prayer, becoming a mark of prestige.
Luxurious pieces "are sometimes associated with social status, with their owners using them in such a way as to attract attention," Burei said.
Abu Faris, who sells prayer beads, perfumes and incense, agreed, saying many pilgrims also buy expensive gift boxes for the prayer beads.
Pricier prayer beads also come encrusted with silver and seashells, he said.
Burei said China had begun mass production of prayer beads in recent years, using fake stones and cheap wood or crystal and churning out pieces whose prices range from one to 30 riyals (26 cents to eight dollars).
The prayer beads are sold in shops surrounding the Grand Mosque complex in Mecca, but are also displayed on hundreds of stalls in the various holy sites in Saudi Arabia visited by the pilgrims.
In addition to zamzam water and prayer beads, pilgrims also take home prayer rugs and copies of the Koran, the Muslim holy book.
Other popular souvenirs and gifts include incense, perfumes, gold items and dates.
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