Mecca or Makkah , located in western Saudi Arabia, is the holiest city in Islam. It is strictly forbidden for Non-Muslims to enter the city and this is strongly enforced. Road signs to guide non-Muslims are provided. During prayer times, streets near the Sacred Mosque may get crowded with mosquegoers due to most Muslims having a preference for praying at the Sacred Mosque.

 

A pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Hajj, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and thus obligatory for all Muslims with the physical and financial ability to make it. Over three million Muslims visit the city during the month of Dhu'l-Hijjah yearly. Visits outside this month are known as minor pilgrimages or Umrah, and while not compulsory are strongly encouraged. This is also the place where the Prophet Muhammad was born. Mecca also has a very rich history as it is a very old city which has been considered sacred since the early middle ages. It is also the birthplace of Islam and is the most sacred place for Muslims.

 

WARNING: Non-Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering the city of Mecca. The penalty is deportation from the country. Documentation will be checked upon entry and anyone not showing proof of being Muslim will be denied entry. As a solitary exception, the Mecca bus terminal (outside city limits) is open to all.

 

The government of Saudi Arabia issues special visas for those making the pilgrimage. Most pilgrims opt to use a specialist travel agency, which will handle the considerable paperwork for them, but detailed information on the strict requirements is available at the Ministry of Hajj [1]. As usual in Saudi Arabia, women must travel together with a male guardian (Mahram), unless they are over 45, travelling with a group and have their guardian's signed consent.

Visas are assigned to countries on a quota basis according to the number of Muslims they have. Recently, those who have previously been to Mecca have had additional restrictions placed on their entry, in an effort to discourage overcrowding while still accommodating those who have not yet made the pilgrimage. If the applicant was not born a Muslim, they must present a certificate testifying so, which has been notarized by an Islamic center. Usually your mosque will be able to arrange this or at least point the way.

 

Local buses, taxis, and micro-buses are widely available in Mecca and are inexpensive. The 18 km (11 mi) Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro opened in November 2010. A total of 5 metro lines are planned to carry pilgrims to the religious sites.

 

Most visitors to Mecca follow the set itinerary of the Hajj. Major sites include:

• Sacred Mosque (al-Masjid al-Haram). The holiest site in Mecca and Islam. This mosque is built around the Kaaba.

• Kaaba. At the center of the sacred mosque is this building, said to have been built by Prophet Abraham himself and his son, Prophet Ishmael. Covered in black cloth, it is circled seven times by Muslim pilgrims.

In addition to Makkah, sites involving Hajj include

• Mina. The site of the symbolic stoning of the Devil.

• Muzdalifah The desert where the pilgrims spend the night.

• Hill of Arafat and Jabal Rahma. The site of Prophet Muhammad's last sermon.

• Jabal Al Noor (lit. The Mountain of Light). While its not part of the Hajj ritual this is still an important site; since atop this mountain is the famous Her'aa grotto, where Muslims believe Muhammed first had the Quran revealed to him.

• Jabal Al Thur. This is the cave in which Prophet Muhammed hid in as he made Hijra to Yathrib (Medina) while being pursued by Meccans who were going to kill him. According to legend, the cave entrance was blocked by a spider which had cast a web to cover it.

• Masjid e Taneem. This is a mosque which acts as a Miqat (boundary for Umrah) for people who have already just been in Makkah.

• Hudaibiyah. It is situated on the old road connecting old Jeddah to Makkah. It's currently known as al-Syumaisi. This is the place where the famous 'Hudaibiyah Treaty' took place between the Muslims from Madinah led by Prophet Muhammed and the Quraish from Makkah. There is new masjid built next to the ruins of the old masjid.

• Jannat ul Mualla. This is the cemetary in which companions during the time of Prophet Muhammed are buried.

• Ja'aronah.

 

• Abraj Al Bait (also known as the Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower)- opened in 2012 complex that's the centerpiece of a hotel and services complex. It definitely makes for an imposing sight as it towers over the pilgrims inside the mosque. It has a gigantic clock at the top, the tower also includes an Islamic Museum and a Lunar Observation Center. The tower is a part of project that aims to modernize the city in catering to its pilgrims.

 

While in Makkah many pilgrims purchase trinkets to remember their time, and souvenirs to bring back to family and friends. Zamzam water is available free which is consumed in Makkah and brought home as a souvenir.

There are many Shopping Malls with local and International Brands in Makkah!You would really want to purchase the Perfume Oils known as Attars from many well known Arabian Perfume brands!Besides this you could find local shops almost everywhere in the City from which you can buy Prayer Mats,Islamic hats,Abaya,Thawbs and much more!

 

There are many types of food from all over the world available in Mecca, from the Indian, Middle Eastern to Southeast Asian food. There are also American fast food chains such as Kentucky Fried Chicken and Dunkin Donuts. No type of pork, ham or any part of the pig is served in Saudi Arabia as forbidden by Islamic Law, since Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country and Mecca is the holiest city in Islam.

 

Alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia. All intoxicants are forbidden by the Qur'an and therefore under Islamic Law which Saudi Arabia follows alcohol is not permitted.

Zamzam Water- holy water from the Zamzam spring in Masjid al Haram believed to be divinely blessed is preferred among pilgrims to Mekkah.

There are many tea shops that serve tea and cookies. Also many juice vendors right outside the Mosque that sell Apple, Mango and Strawberry Juice for 1 SAR.

 

Despite strict crowd control measures, overcrowding and stampedes are major hazards during the month of the Hajj, killing dozens of people. Mina, Jamrat and the bridges leading to them are known to be particularly dangerous, although steps have been taken to alleviate this: there are now four parallel bridges and the route is now unidirectional.

During the Hajj crowds pickpockets are not uncommon. Avoid having any valuables on your person when traversing through the crowds. In other words, be on the safe side and don't take chances.

 

Most pilgrims also visit Medina, Islam's second holiest city.