Holiday in Mekka

About Mekka

Mekka (Arabic: Makkah al-Mukarramah) is the holiest city of Islam and the spiritual center for nearly two billion Muslims worldwide. The city in the Hejaz province in western Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and houses the Kaaba in the Masjid al-Haram — the largest mosque in the world with a capacity of over two million worshippers at the same time. The annual Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for every Muslim who is physically and financially able to perform it at least once in their lifetime. During the Hajj in the last month of the Islamic calendar, over two million pilgrims flock to Mekka. The Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage, can be performed year-round and attracts millions of additional visitors. The Abraj Al-Bait Tower (Mecca Royal Clock Tower) dominates the skyline of Mekka at 601 meters and is one of the tallest buildings in the world. Its four clock faces, with a diameter of 43 meters, are the largest in the world — six times larger than Big Ben. The attached hotel and shopping complex accommodates tens of thousands of pilgrims. Jabal al-Nour (Mountain of Light) is located about 5 km northeast of the Grand Mosque. In the cave of Hira at its summit, the Prophet Muhammad is said to have received the first revelations of the Quran. The ascent (about 600 steps) is particularly popular among pilgrims. Jabal Thawr, another significant mountain, houses the cave where the Prophet took refuge during his flight to Medina. Important note: Mekka is accessible only to Muslims. Non-Muslims are legally prohibited from entering the city. A special visa for Hajj is required through authorized travel agencies, while Umrah can be combined with a tourist visa.