Mecca Al-Mukarramah, or Umm Al-Qura, is an Arab Islamic city located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is the city that witnessed the birth of the most noble of creation, the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad – may God bless him and grant him peace – and that was in the Year of the Elephant (571 AD), knowing that it contains the greatest mosques of Islam. It is the Grand Mosque, which includes the Qibla of Muslims (the Holy Kaaba), which is visited annually by millions of Muslims. To perform the rituals of Umrah and Hajj, it is worth noting that the history of the founding of Mecca dates back to before the birth of the Prophet Ismail, who raised the foundations of the Holy Kaaba together with his father, the Prophet Abraham – peace be upon them. As for the appearance of Islam there for the first time, it was in the seventh century AD. It was conquered by Muslims in the year 630 AD.
The most important landmarks in Mecca
The Holy City of Mecca includes many sacred religious and archaeological landmarks, the most important of which are:
The Grand Mosque: It is the greatest mosque in Islam, and is located in the center of the city.
The Holy Kaaba: It is located in the middle of the Grand Mosque, and it takes the form of a square, high room, covered with a black silk robe. It is also considered the holiest spot on the face of the Earth, in addition to being the qibla for Muslims in their prayers, and the first house established for people.
Zamzam Well: It is located 20 meters from the Holy Kaaba.
Mount Arafat: It is located in the eastern part of Mecca, 20 km from the city center.
Hira Cave: It is located on Mount Al-Nour, located in the eastern part of Mecca, 4 km from the Grand Mosque, and it is the cave in which the revelation came down to the Prophet – may God bless him and grant him peace.