Travel in Mecca - Saudi Arabia - History

Arabic Makkah, ancient Bakkah, or Macoraba is a city in western Saudi Arabia, located in the Sirat Mountains, about 80 kilometres from the Red Sea coast. The land in the suburbs of Makkah is somewhat saline and not at all cultivable. Its poor geographical conditions have no parallel in the world. It is the holiest of Muslim cities. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was born in Makkah over 1400 years ago. It is toward this religious centre that Muslims turn five times daily in prayer. All devout Muslims attempt a pilgrimage, or hajj, to Makkah at least once in their lifetime. Because it is sacred, only Muslims are allowed to enter the city.

The history of the city dates from the time of Prophet Ibrahim. He sent his son Isma'il along with his mother Hajar to the territory of Makkah to settle there. His son married in a tribe, which lived at a nearby place. Prophet Ibrahim constructed the Ka'bah under Allah's command and thereafter settlement at Makkah commenced.

Over the years, the message of Allah was forgotten, and the Ka'abah became filled with idols, some say as many as 365 of them. People continued to make the pilgrimage, but it had become an idolatrous business enterprise for the pagan tribe of the Qu'raysh, the residents of the city of Makkah who were the traditional custodians of the Ka'abah. After the peaceful re-conquest of Makkah in the year 630 AD by Prophet Muhammad, the Ka'abah was purified of the idols in it and the pilgrimage made obligatory for all Muslims at least once in a lifetime, if feasible, and worship returned to that of Allah alone, the one and only God and Creator. At that time, the Holy Mosque consisted of an open circular plaza no larger that 2,000 square meters, located in the centre of the city.

Throughout Islamic history, successive Islamic regimes have spared no cost or effort to dignify and honour the Holy Mosque of Makkah. The Kaba has been reconstructed up to 12 times. In the 20^th century the city has undergone vast improvements. The area around the religious shrines has been cleared, the mosque has been enlarged, housing and sanitation have been improved, and transportation facilities have been enhanced.