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Mecca (/ ˈmɛkə /; officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, [a] commonly shortened to Makkah[b]) is the capital of Mecca Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia and the holiest city according to Islam. [4] It is 70 km (43 mi) inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea, in a narrow valley 277 m (909 ft) above sea level.
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Mecca, city, western Saudi Arabia, located in the Ṣirāt Mountains, inland from the Red Sea coast. It is the holiest of Muslim cities. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born in Mecca, and it is toward this religious centre that Muslims turn five times daily in prayer (see qiblah). All devout and able Muslims attempt a hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. Because it is sacred, only Muslims are allowed to enter the city.
In the 20th and 21st centuries the city underwent vast improvements. The area around the religious shrines was cleared, the mosque enlarged, housing and sanitation improved, and transportation facilities enhanced. As a result, Mecca can accommodate the continually increasing number of pilgrims, or hajjis. Area 10 square miles (26 square km). Pop. (2010) 1,534,731.
The population density in Mecca is high. Most of the people are concentrated in the old city, while densities in the modern residential areas are the lowest in the city. During the month of pilgrimage the city is swollen with one to two million worshippers from other parts of Saudi Arabia and from other Muslim countries. Entrance into Mecca is perm...
- Why Are Non-Muslims Not Allowed in Mecca or Madina? When the question arises, ‘Can non-Muslims go to Mecca‘ the answer is No. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the holy cities of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
- What if I’m a Tourist Visiting Saudi Arabia? If you are a non-Muslim tourist visiting Saudi Arabia, you will not be allowed to enter the holy citiy of Makkah.
- Can a Revert/Converted Muslim Go to Mecca? Yes, a revert Muslims can of course go to Mecca. However, it is important to note that the Saudi Arabian government has implemented strict rules and regulations for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, and you must follow these rules to perform the pilgrimage.
- What Happens if a Non-Muslim Enters Mecca? If a Non-Muslim is found entering Mecca, they will be arrested and deported back to their country. The Saudi government takes the ban on non-Muslims entering Mecca seriously, and violators can face severe punishment, including imprisonment and fines.
Mecca, also known as Makkah, is the holiest city for Muslims around the world. With millions of Muslim pilgrims visiting the city every year, the city located in Saudi Arabia is a site that witnesses the world’s largest human gathering and holds special significance for Muslims.
Aug 20, 2024 · Kaaba, shrine located near the center of the Great Mosque in Mecca and considered by Muslims everywhere to be the most sacred spot on Earth. Muslims orient themselves toward this small shrine during the five daily prayers, bury their dead facing its meridian, and cherish the ambition of visiting it on pilgrimage.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Great Mosque of Mecca, mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, built to enclose the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam. As one of the destinations of the hajj and ʿumrah pilgrimages, it receives millions of worshippers each year. The oldest parts of the modern structure date to the 16th century.
Mecca, officially known as Makkah al-Mukarramah (Arabic: مكة المكرمة, Makkah al-Mukarramah), is a city in Saudi Arabia and the holiest city in Islam. Mecca is the birthplace of Prophet Muhammed, the founder of Islam, and Muslims believe the Qur'an was first revealed to Muhammad here.
