Islamic Center of the Universe

MEKKAM - the most sacred place for all Muslims Every Muslim should at least once in their lives, of course, if you allow the physical and financial opportunities, visit the sacred mosque of Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. The ritual is also known as the annual hajj every year and encourages all Muslims to gather in the courtyard of the Great Mosque. Mecca is one of three major centers of the Islamic world, the other two - Medina and Jerusalem. City of Mecca is located in the central eastern part of Saudi Arabia, and is the capital of the province of Mecca, which is located on a historic site called the Hijaz region. Mecca is surrounded by hills, which are naturally confined to the city and 80 km from it starts the Red Sea. The area around the Grand Mosque, also known as Old City of Mecca. Crowds of the faithful at the mosque Masjid al-Haram is believed that Mecca is the birthplace of the prophet Muhammad. First, the prophet lived here, and later, in 622, he moved to Medina. Since then, Medina and Mecca are the cities, where only Muslims can enter. Muslims worship Allah, becoming the face toward the Kaaba in Mecca. In fact, the Kaaba is a large sacred stone in the center courtyard of the mosque, a sacred place Masjid al-Haram. This stone is considered the most important object in the entire Mecca. Some Muslims visit the graves of the Prophet Muhammad, which is located in Medina Masjid al-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque). Each year during the Hajj in Mecca attracts about three million Muslims from around the world to gather in the Great Mosque. Kaaba Saudis have decided to erect the most important shrine in the center of Mecca, where previously there were hundreds of homes. Today the territory of this part of the old city is occupied by wide boulevards and large squares. Mecca - is not only a religious center. Here today opened many offices world-renowned companies. For centuries the city was also a major center of trade between East and West. Modern construction is gaining in Mecca unprecedented scale. In addition, the construction of the largest buildings in a town called Tower Abraj Al Bait. This gigantic structure built in front of the Sacred Mosque, and will reach a height of 577 meters. Under the plan, construction should be completed by 2010, and the tower was supposed to be among the tallest buildings in the world. Towers Abraj Al Bait Instead of the Grand Mosque Masjid al-Haram is an ancient palace, reminiscent of the years of slavery in this region. To protect the city from enemy attacks, a fortress was built here Kishli. In spite of great historical significance of the fortress, the Saudi government decided to destroy this monument of architecture to make way for the construction of modern hotels and office buildings around the Grand Mosque. Great Mosque Masjid Al-Haram covers an area of ??400,800 square meters. meters and can accommodate about four million pilgrims. See also other materials about the Muslim shrines: Lahore - the symbol of an independent Pakistan Snacks, locks and biblical subjects who on earth closest to God?