The art: Folio from a Koran, 9th-10th century. 

The news: “The Hajj and Eid al-Adha 2011,” from In Focus with Alan Taylor at TheAtlantic.com. The Hajj is currently taking place in Saudi Arabia.

The source: Collection of the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery, Washington. 

Nota bene from the Freer/Sackler website: “The verses are from sura (chapter) 22, entitled al-Hadj (Pilgrimage) and include a discussion of the pilgrimage to Mecca. The Hadj is one of the five principal duties of every Muslim.”