Mecca

:This article is about the holy city in Saudi Arabia. For other uses, see Mecca (disambiguation)

The importance of Makkah

For Muslims, a pilgrimage to Makkah is required as one of the Five Pillars of the faith. In recent years, about two to three million have gathered for the major pilgrimage or Hajj, during the Muslim month of Dhu'l-Hijjah, and many more perform the minor pilgrimage or Umrah, which may be performed at any time of year. Few non-Muslims have ever seen the rites and rituals of the Hajj as non-Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering Makkah and Madinah.

Related Topics:
Five Pillars - Hajj - Umrah - Madinah

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The focal point of Mecca is the Ka'bah, the "House of God" believed by Muslims to have been built by Abraham and his son Ishmael, and is covered in a gold-embroidered black fabric. The Pilgrims circle the Ka'bah seven times and may also try to touch or kiss its cornerstone, the Black Stone. Pilgrims then drink from the well of Zamzam. The water of Zamzam is believed to have special properties and is alleged to have health benefits. Few pilgrims return from the Hajj without a large plastic bottle of the Zamzam water.

Related Topics:
Ka'bah - Abraham - Ishmael - Black Stone - Well of Zamzam

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During the Hajj the pilgrims travel to Mina, a small village, where Iblis (the Devil), symbolised by stone columns, is ritually stoned. In some years the highly excited crowds have crushed people to death during this ritual. They then proceed to the Hill of Arafat (sometimes called the Mountain, but it is only 70 meters high), a site for prayers, where Muhammad is believed to have delivered his final Sermon.

Related Topics:
Iblis - Devil

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The importance of Mecca for Muslims is inestimable. All Muslims, wherever they are on the earth, are required to pray five times a day in the direction of the Ka'bah in Mecca (located at {{coor dms|21|25|24|N|39|49|24|E|}}). The direction of prayer is known as the qiblah.

Related Topics:
Muslims - Qiblah

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Muslims regard the al-Masjid al-Haram (or 'The Sacred Mosque') as the holiest place on Earth. Both the mosque and the city itself are strictly off-limits to non-Muslims.

Related Topics:
Al-Masjid al-Haram - Mosque

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