Lisboa – Byen med gatekunst
Interessante faktaLisboa er en by på Portugals kyst som dyktig kombinerer moderne ideer med gammeldags appell. Lisboa er et verdenssenter for gatekunst, selv om…
Mecca (Arabic: Makkah al-Mukarramah) is a city of profound global significance as the holiest site in Islam. Nestled in the mountains of the Hejaz in western Saudi Arabia, it is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the direction (qibla) that Muslims worldwide face in prayer. With a 2022 metropolitan population of about 2.4 million, Mecca is Saudi Arabia’s third-largest city. During the annual Hajj pilgrimage, its population more than triples as millions of pilgrims arrive (for example, 2.49 million performed Hajj in 2019). The Great Mosque of Mecca (Masjid al-Haram) surrounds the Kaaba, the “House of Allah,” which is the focal point of Islamic worship. According to one authority, the mosque “was built to enclose the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam” and “receives millions of worshippers each year”. In Muslim tradition Mecca is venerated above all cities.
Mecca’s name appears in early Islamic texts as Bakkah (فَعْلَة), identified in the Qur’an as “the first House of worship for mankind” (built by Abraham and Ishmael). Its official name Makkah al-Mukarramah means “Mecca the Honored.” In secular usage “Mecca” has even become a metaphor for any place that draws many people, reflecting its magnetic role for pilgrims. All Muslim pilgrims in the world eventually gather here, which imparts Mecca’s unique status. Saudi law prohibits non-Muslims from entering the city, underscoring its exclusively Islamic character.
Long before Islam, Mecca was already an important sanctuary and commercial center. Arabian tribal traditions held that the patriarch Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael once rebuilt the Kaaba on divine instruction. Over centuries the Kaaba became the symbolic House of Allah, even as it served as the focus of annual pilgrimages by rival Bedouin tribes. These pilgrimages were a crucial social institution: every year, the tribal feuds were set aside so that all clans could gather for worship and trade. In Islamic tradition the Kaaba housed 360 idols (one for each pre-Islamic day of the year), including a principal idol named Hubal. Archaeologists and historians note that Mecca’s core area was declared a sanctuary where no fighting could occur within about 30 km of the Kaaba. This truce zone helped make the city a pilgrimage point and thus a focal hub for commerce.
Before Islam, trade caravans made Mecca the center of a loose tribal alliance. Camel caravans brought spices, textiles, leather goods, and metal from southern Arabia, Africa and the Far East to the north (Syria, Iraq and beyond), and returned with money, weapons, grain and wine. Treaties with the Byzantines and local Bedouins secured safe passage for these caravans, and Mecca’s Quraysh merchants grew wealthy in the process. Some modern scholars dispute how extensive this international trade really was, but Arab traditions celebrate Mecca as an ancient trading crossroads.
Islamic narratives recount extraordinary events in Mecca before Muhammad’s mission. In the year 570 CE – the traditional birth year of the Prophet – an Abyssinian Christian ruler named Abraha marched on Mecca intent on destroying the Kaaba (this event is known as the Year of the Elephant). According to legend, Abraha’s war elephant stopped at Mecca’s outskirts and refused to enter, and a flock of small birds then destroyed the invaders. This tale, commemorated in the Qur’an’s chapter Al-Fīl (“The Elephant”), reinforced Mecca’s sacred aura.
The city’s geography made it a crossroads of regional commerce. Located on caravan routes between the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean worlds, Mecca attracted merchants from many lands. Historical accounts describe goods from Yemen, Africa and Asia passing through Mecca en route to Syria and Iraq. Meccan leaders signed alliances and water-right treaties to protect these caravans. In turn, Mecca supplied caravans with local products (such as leather and horn) and with essential provisions for the desert journey. As one source notes, by the late 6th century Mecca’s prominence in trade bound together much of Arabia. Although Mecca was never a political capital in this era, its religious and commercial importance was firmly established by the time of Muhammad.
In 570 CE Muhammad was born into the Quraysh tribe of Mecca. For much of his youth, Mecca remained a relatively modest desert town with deep tribal traditions. At age 40 (about 610 CE), Muhammad began receiving divine revelations in a mountain cave called Hira on nearby Jabal al-Nour. He preached a strict monotheism aimed at reforming Meccan society. This message challenged the prevailing idolatry of the Kaaba, provoking strong opposition from the city’s elites. Islamic sources emphasize that Mecca’s Kaaba – once filled with idols – was to be reclaimed as a house of the one God.
The Prophet’s preaching found a modest early following but also led to persecution. With only a few dozen converts, Muhammad’s community endured harassment for about 13 years. In 622 the Prophet and his followers left Mecca in the Hijrah (migration) to Medina, marking the start of the Muslim calendar. In Medina Muhammad built a larger community and later (629–630 CE) negotiated the conquest of Mecca. When Muhammad returned to Mecca in 630 CE, he famously ordered the destruction of the idols in the Kaaba, purifying it of polytheism.
After the conquest of 630 CE, Mecca was officially declared the holiest sanctuary of Islam. Muhammad and his companions spared the city and integrated its people into the Muslim community. The Kaaba was rededicated to the worship of Allah alone. Thereafter Mecca became the focal point of the Hajj pilgrimage, which Islam ordained as one of its Five Pillars. Muslims from all tribes were now united by a shared sacred geography. In succeeding decades, Mecca’s inhabitants were largely loyal to Islam. The city did not decline; rather, it gradually became the seat of an expanding religious and academic life. Even after Muhammad’s death in 632 CE, Mecca continued to attract pilgrims from across the Muslim world, long before it was the capital of any empire. Its identity as Umm al-Qurā (“Mother of Cities”) stems from this foundational era.
After Muhammad, Mecca never served as an imperial capital, but Muslim rulers of all dynasties took responsibility for its upkeep. Caliphate authorities (the Rightly Guided, the Umayyads and Abbasids) invested in the city’s waterworks, walls and mosque. In 683 and 692 CE, Mecca endured two sieges by Umayyad forces during internal disputes. In 930 CE, the city was raided and briefly sacked by the heterodox Qarmatian sect from eastern Arabia. The Black Death pandemic reached Mecca in 1349, causing further hardship. Travel accounts from this era (such as those of Ibn Battuta) describe Mecca as a large, humble city devoted to the Kaaba, with pilgrims circling it in worship.
Throughout the medieval period, local Sharifian (descendant-of-Prophet) dynasties governed Mecca under the nominal suzerainty of the caliphates. They collected the pilgrimage tax, maintained order, and oversaw the ongoing expansion of the Grand Mosque around the Kaaba. The pilgrim crowds grew over time, and the medieval city was still relatively compact – many houses of stone coexisted with palm groves and open spaces in the surrounding valley.
In 1517 the Sharif of Mecca formally recognized Ottoman rule when Sultan Selim I annexed the Hijaz. The Sharif retained substantial local autonomy, but from then on Mecca was under Ottoman protection. The Ottomans and later the Egyptian governor Muhammad Ali Pasha sent engineers to protect the city from flooding and to maintain the pilgrim hostelry facilities.
During this period, the city’s demographic mix began to change. In addition to locals, Mecca hosted permanent communities of scholarly Sunnis (often Arab or Central Asian), Shia Persians, and merchants from India, Indonesia and East Africa. These inhabitants served pilgrims and enriched the urban culture. The famous British traveler Richard Burton described mid-19th century Mecca as clean, humble and cosmopolitan – including grand hotels for pilgrims even then – though only a tiny number of outsiders could visit covertly.
The 20th century brought dramatic change. During World War I, the Sharif of Mecca led the Arab Revolt (1916) against Ottoman rule, temporarily liberating the city. In 1924 the newly ascendant Saud family conquered Mecca and annexed it into Saudi Arabia. The Saudi state embarked on ambitious modernization projects: new highways, expanded water and power systems, and large-scale building. Crucially, the Grand Mosque underwent multiple enlargements: the first major Saudi expansion began in 1955 and was completed in 1973, increasing the mosque’s area to over 152,000 square meters (with capacity for ~500,000 worshippers). A second grand expansion launched in 1984 (King Fahd’s expansion) further multiplied its capacity to over 820,000. As a result, the ancient city center has been largely overhauled; some medieval quarter was cleared for new boulevards and the massive Abraj Al-Bait (Clock Towers) complex, which at 601 meters is one of the world’s tallest buildings.
Today Mecca blends its centuries-old sanctity with a gleaming, modern cityscape. Skyscrapers, luxury hotels and shopping complexes line the streets around the Grand Mosque, standing behind the old stone city homes that still peek out among them. This rapid redevelopment has drawn controversy: historians note that a large percentage (some estimate over 90%) of Mecca’s thousand-year-old buildings and tombs have been demolished in recent decades. Saudi authorities insist these projects are necessary to accommodate pilgrimage crowds, and indeed they have greatly increased the Mosque’s capacity. Mecca’s story from the 7th century to today is thus one of continuity and transformation, merging its role as cradle of Islam with the demands of a global city.
At the center of Islam’s holiest city stands the Kaaba, the cube-shaped stone shrine inside the Grand Mosque. Tradition holds that this sacred House was first constructed by Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael as a monotheistic sanctuary. In pre-Islamic times it became filled with idols, but its clean form was restored by Muhammad in 630 CE when he returned Mecca to monotheism. The Kaaba’s significance is absolute: it is the qibla (direction) toward which over a billion Muslims pray five times daily, and completing the circumambulation (tawaf) of the Kaaba is an essential rite of both Hajj and Umrah. According to one authoritative description, the Kaaba is “the holiest shrine in Islam,” the spiritual heart of the city. Its walls are draped in rich black cloth (kiswah) and one of its corners houses the revered Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), believed by Muslims to date back to Abraham’s time.
The Kaaba today is a simple stone cuboid about 12 m tall, but its history spans millennia. In Islamic belief, God originally instructed Abraham to build the “House of God” at this site. Later, various tribes rebuilt and restored it; for example, Qur’anic tradition notes that Abraham and Ishmael “made it a place of worship for the people” (Qur’an 2:125). The structure was damaged by floods and fire over centuries; during the Umayyad siege of 683 CE, the Kaaba burned and was later rebuilt. Most famously, when Muhammad conquered Mecca he cleared out the sanctuary’s many idols, consecrating it for worship of Allah alone. After his death, successive caliphs and Sharifian rulers continued to renovate the Kaaba and its surrounding mosque. For instance, the stone of the Kaaba was enlarged by the Abbasid caliph al-Mahdi, and many Ottoman-era tiles and calligraphy remain in the interior. In modern times the Kaaba has been encased by the mosque’s grand expansions, but it still sits at the mosque’s very center, free-standing and accessible to pilgrims.
The Kaaba’s role in Islamic ritual is unrivaled. Every Muslim, wherever they are, faces the Kaaba when praying – a daily reminder of unity. Pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah must circle (perform tawaf around) the Kaaba seven times, a practice traced back to Abraham and Hagar in Islamic tradition. Between the Kaaba and a pair of small hills (Safa and Marwah) within the same mosque, pilgrims perform Saʿi (running or walking seven times), commemorating Hagar’s search for water. Nearby in the mosque is the ancient Zamzam Well: a spring miraculously provided to Hagar and Ishmael according to tradition. Pilgrims drink from Zamzam and often take it as a holy souvenir. As one historical commentary notes, saying prayers at the Kaaba or one of the sacred hills of Mecca is considered supremely meritorious – multiplying a worshipper’s reward many times over. In short, the Kaaba is both a focus of ritual (tawaf, prayer) and a symbol of Muslim unity and monotheism.
Every year in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah (the 12th month of the Islamic calendar), Muslims who are physically and financially able perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, so Muslims believe it is an obligation at least once in their lifetime. It is by far the world’s largest annual pilgrimage. As one source observes, during the Hajj “millions of Muslims from all over the world” converge on Mecca. In 2019 for example, 2.49 million people performed the Hajj over five days. The city’s infrastructure essentially shuts down for this event: residential streets become pilgrim thoroughfares, and government agencies focus entirely on crowd control and support.
The Hajj rituals involve several key rites performed in and around Mecca and its environs. Pilgrims enter a state of consecration (ihram) at designated points (often the Masjid at-Tanʿim or their home country for tourists). Upon reaching Mecca, pilgrims first wear simple white garments, then perform Tawaf: walking seven times around the Kaaba within Masjid al-Haram. Next, they perform Saʿi: walking briskly between the hills of Safa and Marwah (also within the Grand Mosque), symbolizing Hagar’s search for water. They then sacrifice an animal (or donate its value) in remembrance of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. Pilgrims proceed to Mina, a tented camp just east of Mecca, where they spend the first night of Hajj. The main ritual occurs on the Day of Arafat: pilgrims travel to Mount Arafat (the plain of Arafat) to stand in prayer all afternoon, invoking God’s mercy. That evening they move to Muzdalifah for an overnight stay under the open sky, collecting pebbles for the next day. On the following days, pilgrims return to Mina and perform the Stoning of the Devil: throwing pebbles at three pillar sites (ramat al-jamarāt) that represent the rejection of evil. Finally they perform a symbolic head-shaving (men) or hair-cut (women), complete another tawaf around the Kaaba, and end the rituals. Over several days the pilgrims have thus fulfilled all steps of Hajj, after which they return home.
The Hajj embodies deep spiritual themes in Islam. It commemorates the trials of Abraham, Ishmael, and Hagar, and it symbolizes the unity and equality of all Muslims before God. By wearing identical simple garments and performing the rites together, pilgrims of all nations stand as equals. At its climax (the standing at Arafat), the Hajj emphasizes Muslim obedience and reliance on God. Mecca itself, in the pilgrim mindset, transforms into a tent camp of devotion: as one journalist notes, once the Hajj begins, “every street [in Mecca] is like the greatest mosque in the world”. Even historical observers (like Ibn Battuta) remarked that in Mecca “prayers were made for the Sultan” at the Kaaba, showing how the entire community of believers turns its attention to the shrine during pilgrimage. Importantly, the Prophet Muhammad taught that performing Hajj with true devotion can cleanse a person of sins, making it a journey of profound personal renewal. Thus Hajj is both a literal pilgrimage to a holy site and a metaphorical journey towards spiritual rebirth.
Umrah refers to the “lesser pilgrimage” to Mecca, which can be undertaken at any time of year (unlike the once-a-year Hajj). It includes many of the same rituals (ihram, tawaf and Saʿi) but omits the stay at Arafat and Mina. The Qur’an recommends Umrah as an honorable act (for example, Sura Al-Baqarah 2:196). Unlike Hajj, Umrah is not obligatory, but it remains highly meritorious; many Muslims perform Umrah multiple times in their life.
Performing Umrah is simpler in logistics: pilgrims enter Ihram (often at the Masjid at-Tanʿim or before arrival), then enter the Grand Mosque and circle the Kaaba seven times. They then run or walk between Safa and Marwah seven times. After completing these rites, male pilgrims typically shave their head (women cut a small lock of hair), which signifies the end of Ihram. The new visa policies have opened Umrah to millions of international tourists: Saudi Arabia now allows many visitors to come on a tourist e-visa that permits Umrah at any time of the year. In planning a visit, pilgrims often choose cooler months (November–February or spring) to avoid Mecca’s intense summer heat.
Since the mid-20th century, Mecca’s infrastructure has been vastly expanded to serve its role as the world’s foremost pilgrimage city. The Grand Mosque surrounding the Kaaba has been enlarged in successive stages. The first Saudi government-led expansion (completed 1973) increased the mosque’s area almost sixfold, and the second (finished in the early 2000s) enlarged it further, boosting capacity to well over 800,000 worshippers. These projects added new floors, libraries and facilities around the historic Ottoman mosque.
Outside the mosque, Mecca’s skyline has been radically transformed. The Abraj Al-Bait (the Makkah Clock Towers) is a 601-meter tower complex with a giant clock visible across the city; it is one of the world’s tallest buildings. Numerous luxury hotels and high-rises now ring the mosque’s plaza. Street grids were widened or re-aligned, and new highways connect the city to Jeddah and Ta’if. Throughout the 21st century the government invested heavily in modern architecture and engineering in Mecca. For example, a 24 km network of express roadways has been built to streamline pilgrim traffic. Water and power systems were also upgraded: modern desalination plants near the Red Sea supply Mecca’s needs, and dam projects have mitigated the flash floods that historically threatened the city.
Despite this progress, the rapid redevelopment has sparked debate. As a noted survey observed, many historic sites (including pre-Islamic ruins, Ottoman tombs, and a 18th-century fortress) were demolished during construction of expansions. Critics charge that in the process Mecca lost much of its architectural heritage. The Saudi government argues that these measures were intended to prevent idolatry (thereby removing tombs that might be venerated) and to make room for tens of thousands more worshippers. In practice, a large part of the old city has indeed given way to infrastructure: today the Grand Mosque covers over one million square meters (including multiple levels), and the sacred precinct now blends medieval foundations with ultra-modern complexes.
Mecca’s modern infrastructure includes world-class transportation links. The new Haramain High-Speed Railway (opened in 2018) runs 449 km from Mecca to Medina via Jeddah, linking the two holy cities at speeds up to 300 km/h. Trains allow pilgrims to travel quickly between the sacred sites. Domestically, Mecca is connected by a highway network to Riyadh and other regions; Highway 40 links it to Jeddah and Riyadh, and Highway 15 leads north to Medina and Jordan.
Internationally, the nearest major airport is King Abdulaziz International in Jeddah, about 70 km away. This airport has a dedicated Hajj Terminal designed to process pilgrims: it can accommodate some 80,000 travelers at a time. Saudi Arabia’s government has also streamlined visa and entry procedures for pilgrims (see “Visas” below). Within Mecca itself, public transit is under development. For Hajj in particular, the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro line (opened 2010) shuttles pilgrims between Mecca, Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat. The city has also begun introducing public buses and urban rail lines to serve its growing population. In short, Mecca’s transportation network now combines ancient roads (to pilgrim sites) with ultramodern rail and highways, reflecting the city’s unique seasonal flux of visitors.
Mecca’s population has expanded rapidly in modern times. In the early 20th century it was only a small town of perhaps 20,000–30,000 residents. Oil-fueled economic growth and the accommodation of millions of pilgrims have driven the metropolitan population to around 2.4 million today. The city’s demography is notable: only about 44.5% of residents are Saudi citizens, while roughly 55.5% are foreign-born Muslims. These foreign residents include families from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan and other countries, who have come to work in pilgrim services, trade or religious education. For example, local media reports highlight that a significant South Asian community – including long-time residents and entrepreneurs – now calls Mecca home. Today, Mecca’s neighborhoods are a tapestry of Arab, South Asian and African Muslim cultures living side by side.
The pilgrim seasons also create dramatic temporary population spikes. During the five days of Hajj, the city swells by two to three times; hotels and transit are filled beyond normal capacity. Even in off-peak times, thousands of visitors arrive daily for Umrah, especially during Ramadan and other holidays. This constant flow of outsiders has made Mecca a truly international urban environment. In normal months, however, the resident population is quite devout and tightly knit; many families have lived here for generations and families of pilgrims work collaboratively to host them.
The economy of Mecca revolves almost entirely around the pilgrimage. Businesses of all kinds depend on the millions of annual visitors. The hospitality sector is dominant: hundreds of hotels, guesthouses and pension complexes operate in the city, offering lodging to every budget level. Many of the largest hotels sit just blocks from the Grand Mosque (for example, the Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower), while smaller inns and “zawiyas” (lodges) serve budget pilgrims. During Hajj, the authorities also operate temporary tent cities in Mina that can house over a million people.
Aside from lodging, virtually all other commerce caters to pilgrims. Restaurants and food stalls are omnipresent: one may find everything from Middle Eastern cuisine to South Asian and Indonesian dishes to cater to the diverse guests. It is common for restaurants and camp kitchens to serve Zamzam water to diners, reflecting the tradition that every meal should come with this blessed water. Local shops sell prayer rugs, talismans, date confections (such as the local specialty debyaza, a sweet dried-fruit compote said to originate in Mecca), perfumes and religious literature. Entire markets bustle with sales of abayas, ihram clothing, and Qur’ans.
Pilgrimage also underwrites public income. The Saudi government collects a Hajj tax and allocates huge budgets to Mecca’s infrastructure. According to official reports, Mecca’s municipal budget was about 11 billion Saudi riyals ($3 billion) in 2015, largely for development and services for pilgrims. Many residents work for government agencies or the Grand Mosque’s administration, running pilgrim registration, sanitation, security and health clinics. On a macro level, Mecca’s status attracts billions of dollars of investment each year and supports industries such as travel and construction throughout the region. Even sectors like telecommunications and transport heavily gear their services around pilgrimage seasons.
Life for Mecca’s permanent residents resembles that of any conservative Saudi city, with Islamic faith at its core. The daily rhythm of prayer and fasting punctuates the week. Official policy discourages any entertainment that might clash with the city’s holiness, so even personal celebrations are subdued. For instance, an Associated Press report noted that families in Mecca do have birthday parties and weddings, but music is played quietly or omitted out of respect for the sacred atmosphere. Cafés and shops close during prayer times, and men generally greet women in more formal ways in public.
Hospitality has long been a hallmark of Meccan society. Historically, local families would welcome pilgrims into their homes during the Hajj season, offering food and lodging. Older residents recount that in the past “people had their homes open” to strangers on pilgrimage. As one resident reminisced, those were “beautiful times” when pilgrims could mingle freely with locals. Today the scale of Hajj makes informal hospitality difficult, but this legacy endures in smaller rituals: a Meccan family might still drop dates into a passing pilgrim’s bag, or offer a sip of Zamzam water as a blessing. Meccans also often fast additional days (nawafil) outside of Ramadan to seek the city’s blessings.
With urban change, social life has shifted. Grand neighborhoods near the Haram were demolished for hotels, so few old tribal quarters remain in the center. New districts house many residents who work in tourism and service industries. Community life tends to cluster around mosques and schools, which serve as cultural centers. There is a noticeable divide between lifelong Meccans (tawā’if) and newer immigrant families; but over time many expatriate workers settle and form their own communities. An article describing city life noted that a taxi driver from Bangladesh has lived in Mecca for sixteen years, exemplifying the large permanent South Asian community in the city. In daily commerce, Bengali, Urdu and Indonesian can be heard alongside Arabic, reflecting this diversity.
Mecca’s cuisine reflects its cosmopolitan character. Traditional Saudi and Hejazi dishes are popular: one specialty is kabsa (spiced rice with lamb or chicken). A unique local Eid delicacy is dubyaza (also known as khushaf): a compote of dried fruits and nuts spiced with cardamom and served in ornate bowls. Dates, coffee with cardamom, and sweet rice (mutabbaq) are everyday staples in Meccan meals.
However, international foods abound because pilgrims crave familiar tastes. It is easy to find biryani, curries and Chinese stir-fries near the Grand Mosque, as well as fast-food chains and fine dining. Most restaurants (even small cafeterias) stock bottled Zamzam water, offering it freely as a symbolic gesture. During Hajj the city mobilizes canteens and volunteer kitchens (such as those run by charity groups) to provide free meals to pilgrims by the hundreds of thousands.
Family dining in Mecca is distinctly modest. Men and women typically eat in separate areas; communal meals may be arranged in mosque courtyards during Ramadan iftar. Despite the influx of wealth, Meccans generally maintain a conservative standard: alcohol and non-halal foods are strictly banned in the city. The shared experience of hosting pilgrims means generosity is a local virtue. In private life, Meccan families are tightly knit, with extended kinship networks. Hospitality toward guests – offering dates, coffee, and Zamzam water – is considered both a cultural expectation and a religious duty.
Mecca is a center of Islamic learning, reflecting its holy status. The most prominent institution is Umm al-Qura University (UQU), originally founded in 1949 as an Islamic Sharia college. UQU expanded rapidly in the late 20th century and was reorganized as a full university by royal decree in 1981. Today UQU enrolls tens of thousands of students and offers a broad curriculum: alongside Quranic and legal studies, it has faculties of engineering, technology, medicine, business and humanities. The university also manages libraries and research centers focused on Islamic heritage.
Several other colleges and institutes support Mecca’s society. There are government-run colleges for religious affairs (training imams and hajj guides), technical institutes, and branches of national universities. While Riyadh and Jeddah have larger educational infrastructures, Mecca’s schools reflect its sacred mission: many programs emphasize comparative religion, Hadith scholarship, and Arabic linguistics for foreign students. International students from across the Muslim world come to Mecca for specialized courses, especially those related to pilgrimage management, Islamic history, and conservation of holy sites.
At the primary and secondary levels, Mecca follows the national Saudi curriculum, with public schools segregated by gender. Religious instruction is central: daily Qur’an recitation and Islamic studies are mandatory in all schools. Mecca also supports religious seminaries (madrasas) attached to mosques, where traditional scholars teach classical Arabic and jurisprudence. The city’s scholarly tradition traces back centuries, and many Meccan families include generations of Quranic teachers and clerics. Socially, education is viewed as a communal priority; free or subsidized schooling has dramatically increased literacy among Meccans. Nevertheless, a gap persists: children of foreign workers often attend separate schools or boarding houses, reflecting the socioeconomic stratification of the expatriate community.
Mecca’s social fabric is layered. Local citizens (tawā’if) include a few established clans with roots before Islam, but after 1924 social hierarchy largely aligned with religious piety and government service. Many older Meccan families now also invest in the hospitality trade. Foreign residents form the majority: families and individuals from South Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh), Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia), Africa, and the Levant. Many came decades ago as laborers or merchants and stayed permanently. For example, a single Bangladeshi taxi driver interviewed was representative of a large South Asian community of long-term residents. The city’s population is overwhelmingly Muslim, with Sunni Islam dominant; Shia Muslims are present mainly as traders and scholars, but public space is uniformly Sunni.
Family life in Mecca is conservative. Households are often extended; children and elders live under one roof. The rapid urban development has, however, strained the traditional neighborhoods. In the center, older houses of wood and stone have been replaced by concrete apartments. Many Meccans have been relocated from central areas to government-built neighborhoods farther out. These housing projects tend to mix Saudis and foreigners, but there are still enclaves: neighborhoods identified with Pakistanis, Indians, or Bangladeshis, each with its own language shops and restaurants.
Despite differences, Meccans share a strong communal bond centered on faith. The many mosques serve as daily gathering places. Men often meet in the mosque courtyards after Friday prayer to discuss local matters, while women may meet privately in each other’s homes or in women’s sections of mosques. Charitable giving (zakat) is an important social practice: during Ramadan especially, community members are expected to support needy families and pilgrims who lack resources. Even with modernization, local customs such as reciting evening prayers in groups and celebrating religious holidays with family remain deeply ingrained.
Mecca’s unprecedented growth has provoked intense debate about heritage and urban planning. Critics argue that the city’s spiritual identity risked being overshadowed by commercial interests. Indeed, between 1985 and 2015 an estimated 95% of Mecca’s historical buildings (some over a thousand years old) were demolished to make way for new construction. Iconic landmarks like the Ottoman Ajyad Fortress were razed. International observers have lamented the loss of traditional architecture and ancient sites, warning that Mecca’s historic ambiance was being erased.
Saudi officials respond that expansion is necessary: only by removing cramped old structures could the Grand Mosque be enlarged to handle growing pilgrim numbers. They note that many of the cleared areas were not themselves sacred, but old residential districts; in their view, preserving the ability to serve millions of worshippers is the higher priority. Indeed, the Grand Mosque now spans multiple floors and can accommodate far more people than it could in past centuries. Plans continue for further development: parts of nearby smaller towns (Mina and Muzdalifah) have been annexed to accommodate the pilgrim camp. Modern high-rises and shopping complexes continue to rise around the old city core.
This balance of development and conservation remains a sensitive issue. Some preservationists advocate for better integration of heritage into new projects. Others point to renewed interest in documenting Mecca’s past through digital reconstructions and museum collections. For example, the Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture Museum (housed in the Clock Tower building) displays artifacts from Mecca’s history. In practice, the tension between growth and heritage is a defining feature of contemporary Mecca: every construction project is weighed against the need to respect the sanctity of the site.
Mecca’s special status in Islam comes with strict access rules. Non-Muslims are strictly forbidden to enter the city. Saudi law requires that all residents and visitors identify as Muslims at checkpoints on highways leading to Mecca. Violating this is a serious offense. Even some Muslim visitors must obtain special permission: for example, historically women and girls needed a male chaperone (mahram) to perform pilgrimage. Notably, in 2021 the Saudi government lifted this requirement: single women of various countries were allowed to obtain Hajj visas and travel without a male relative for the first time. This reform allowed thousands of women to attend Hajj or Umrah independently.
Within Mecca itself, religiously based restrictions also apply. Alcohol and pork products are entirely banned in the city. Dress codes are strictly enforced: both men and women must wear modest attire (women cover shoulders and legs with an abaya and headscarf; men wear loose clothing or the traditional white ihram garments during pilgrimage). Public displays of affection are taboo. Gender segregation is observed in public spaces (for example, separate seating in some cafés). At prayer times, shops close and streets become eerily still. Additionally, Mecca’s municipal policies prioritize religious considerations: loud music or festive decorations are discouraged on holidays (even Eid celebrations remain muted).
Perhaps the most famous restriction remains the pilgrimage itself: only Muslims are allowed inside the Grand Mosque. Security checkpoints (with electronic wristbands or ID checks) ensure that every person performing Tawaf or Hajj is verified Muslim. In recent years, Saudi technology (facial recognition cameras) has tightened enforcement. These measures, combined with the city’s physical expansion, mean that Mecca today is a closed religious enclave, open exclusively to those who come in pilgrimage or local worship.
Entry to Mecca requires a special visa related to pilgrimage. For Hajj, travelers must obtain a Hajj visa through an approved Saudi travel agency that organizes pilgrimage packages. The Saudi government does not allow individuals to travel for Hajj on a tourist visa. For Umrah and general visits, Saudi Arabia issues Umrah/tourist visas. In 2019 the country launched an online e-visa program for tourists from many countries, which permits performing Umrah outside the Hajj season. In mid-2025 Saudi Arabia updated its policy: it resumed issuing e-visas for Umrah starting June 10, 2025, and allows eligible visitors (for example, those with valid US, UK, or Schengen visas) to obtain visas on arrival. In practice, most pilgrims obtain a visa through a travel operator, which coordinates accommodation, transport and Saudi visa processing.
Prospective visitors should check Saudi Arabia’s official visa website well in advance. Requirements generally include a passport valid for at least six months, proof of vaccination (see below), and a confirmed Hajj/Umrah package. Starting in 2022, Saudi health authorities require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all pilgrims, as well as routine vaccines (meningitis, polio booster). Travelers should note that rules can change: for example, Saudi health policy revived Umrah visas on June 10, 2025 after an annual suspension of travel during Hajj. It is wise to engage an experienced operator or governmental agency when planning a visit. As one guide notes, “Entry to Makkah [is allowed] for pilgrims holding appropriate visas” which were recently reinstated.
Mecca’s desert climate is very hot. Summer months (June–September) regularly see daytime temperatures above 40 °C (104 °F). Winter (December–February) is milder: daytime highs range around 25–30 °C (77–86 °F). Spring (March–April) is also warm but not unbearable. Travel experts advise that late February through April, or October through early December, are the most comfortable periods for outdoor activities in Mecca. Many pilgrims thus prefer to perform Umrah in these shoulder seasons, when the heat is bearable and hotels may be slightly less crowded (apart from Ramadan, which varies annually).
However, some pilgrims aim to coincide with Ramadan (the month of fasting) or the Hajj season for their own reasons. Ramadan in Mecca is a profound experience but also a very busy time (since Umrah visas are suspended during Hajj, Umrah pilgrims pour in during Ramadan instead). Visiting during Ramadan is an intense spiritual experience with nightly Taraweeh prayers and communal iftar, but both crowds and prices rise. In short, Mecca can be visited year-round, but peak summer should be avoided if possible. A good strategy is to plan for spring or autumn, and to check the dates of Ramadan and Hajj in the current year’s lunar calendar.
Pilgrims should plan carefully for their health and safety. Vaccination is mandatory: proof of a recent quadrivalent meningitis shot is required for all pilgrims, and up-to-date polio and influenza vaccines are recommended. Check the latest Saudi regulations before travel. Staying hydrated is crucial; despite the cool nights, desert heat can cause dehydration rapidly. Always carry bottled water (Zamzam water, though blessed, should be consumed in moderation). Wear comfortable, covered clothing and sturdy shoes for walking long distances. During Hajj season, explosive growth of crowds means one must be vigilant: follow official instructions, register for guided groups, and keep personal documents or items secure.
Saudi authorities often issue special health advisories for pilgrims, including lists of prohibited items and emergency contacts. Travel insurance that covers large gatherings and emergency evacuation can be wise. Women should obtain any required chaperone documentation (though the recent policy change has eased requirements) and men should ensure their vaccination certificates are valid. For extremity of climate, travel products like cooling towels and shade umbrellas can be helpful. In general, both first-time and veteran pilgrims are advised to acclimate themselves by walking around the Mosque in normal shoes before attempting the full Ihram dress, and to learn a few basic Arabic phrases or directions to navigate local transport and medical facilities if needed.
Mecca offers a full range of accommodations, from luxury five-star hotels to basic guesthouses. The area immediately surrounding the Grand Mosque is dominated by large hotels and apartment hotels, many of which belong to international chains (Hilton, Fairmont, Pullman, etc.) or regional brands. These buildings often rise dozens of stories and offer direct access (some have sky bridges) to the mosque complex. During Hajj these hotels fill up months in advance at premium rates. Outside the core, a belt of mid-range and budget hotels lines Mecca’s city streets.
For mass pilgrimages (Hajj), the Saudi government arranges vast tent camps in Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat. These tents are fully equipped with bedding, air-conditioning (in many sections) and communal facilities. Pilgrimage organizers commonly include tent reservations in their packages. In recent years, the government has also built some 20,000 hotel rooms in Mina to gradually replace tent accommodation.
Outside the Hajj season, many smaller pilgrimage-focused hotels (often called “fannas” or hostels) operate. Apartment rentals and housing complexes are available by the night, catering to families. Many local residents also rent rooms in their homes to visitors. Overall, at least several hundred thousand short-term guest rooms exist in Mecca, but demand still outstrips supply every Hajj season. It is essential to book well in advance. Pilgrims on a tight budget may stay farther from the mosque (Jabal Omar district, or even in Jeddah’s outskirts) and rely on shuttle buses.
Restaurants in Mecca serve a variety of cuisines. Traditional Saudi fare is prevalent: try Mandi (spiced lamb and rice), Kabsa (chicken or lamb with spiced rice) or Hejazi bread with lamb stew. Since the pilgrim population is international, one can also find Indian, Pakistani, Indonesian and East African cuisine on many streets. Quick-service stands and cafeterias are common around the mosque; they sell grilled meats, falafel, shawarma, and local sweets.
Most dining establishments operate under halal guidelines, and even steakhouses serve halal-certified meats. Street vendors and cafe chains offer tea, coffee with cardamom, and dates as refreshments. Many restaurants near the Grand Mosque display the special Zamzam water symbol, indicating that Zamzam (from the holy well) is provided free to diners – a traditional act of hospitality.
Pilgrims should respect local customs when eating: it is polite to wash and pray before meals. During the daytime of Ramadan, visitors are expected to refrain from eating or drinking in public out of respect, unless they are exempt. Water fountains and vending machines can be found throughout the city to keep everyone hydrated (regular water in Mecca can be very warm, so cool bottled water is advisable). Overall, one can dine quite cheaply if eating simply; better meals in hotel restaurants will cost more. Given Mecca’s 24-hour rhythm, many eateries are open late into the night, especially near the mosque. For a taste of local tradition, do not miss sampling the sweet debyaza compote and the freshly made mutabbaq (a stuffed pancake) sold by local vendors.
Getting around Mecca today is relatively convenient thanks to modern transport. As noted, the major gateway is King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, which serves Mecca and is just 70 km away. This airport’s famous Hajj Terminal is specially designed to handle huge pilgrim surges: at its peak it can process 80,000 travelers simultaneously. From Jeddah to Mecca, pilgrims usually travel by private car, bus, or taxi via the highway. There are frequent SAPTCO pilgrimage coaches (government buses) running scheduled shuttles between Jeddah and Mecca. A car or taxi ride takes about an hour, depending on traffic.
Within Mecca, the main mode of transport is on foot; most pilgrims live within walking distance of the Grand Mosque. Electric carts (stroller rickshaws) are used by elderly or disabled visitors along the wide pedestrian plazas. Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Careem, Uber) also operate in the city, though they can be expensive during peak pilgrimage periods.
The Haramain High-Speed Railway now provides an efficient link: departing from Jeddah airport and King Abdullah Economic City, it arrives at the Haram Station right outside Mecca. It then continues to Medina. The service (up to 300 km/h) can whisk a passenger from Jeddah to Mecca in about 30 minutes. This rail line has greatly eased pilgrim access in the past few years.
During the Hajj itself, special transport is arranged between the sacred sites. The Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Line (opened 2010) exclusively serves Hajj pilgrims by connecting Mecca with Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. During Hajj days, it is the primary way for pilgrims to travel between these sites. At other times it is inactive.
In the city’s future plans, municipal officials have proposed several urban rail lines to cope with growing traffic. There are also extensive taxi stands and pilgrim bus networks. Overall, while Mecca’s streets can become congested (especially near the Mosque) the combination of highways, train and local shuttles provides multiple ways to reach the city. Pilgrims should allow extra travel time during Hajj, as many roads are partially closed and controlled.
Safa and Marwah. These two small hills are now enclosed in a long gallery inside the Grand Mosque. Pilgrims must walk or run seven circuits between them in memory of Hagar’s search for water. The gallery is open at all times, so any visitor in the mosque can stand where pilgrims have stood for centuries.
Mount Arafat (Jabal al-Rahmah). About 20 km east of Mecca lies the plain of Arafat, where pilgrims gather to pray on the Day of Arafat. The highlight is the small white dome of Jabal al-Rahmah (the Mount of Mercy) at the top of the hill. Non-pilgrims can visit Arafat on non-Hajj days.
Mina and Muzdalifah. These are pilgrim camps just outside Mecca. In Mina, one can see the three high pillars (jamart) where pilgrims throw pebbles during Hajj. Muzdalifah is where pilgrims collect stones and pray under the open sky on the night of Arafat. Visiting these sites outside Hajj is allowed and gives insight into the pilgrim experience.
Jabal al-Nour and the Cave of Hira. As noted above, on this rocky hill just north of the city the Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation. A steep path leads up to the top. The small cave is simple – just an empty carved recess – but for many pilgrims it is a place of prayer and contemplation due to its spiritual significance.
Bayt al-Mawlid (Prophet’s Birthplace). In the older quarters of Mecca stands the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Library, known as Bayt al-Mawlid. Tradition holds that it is on the spot where Muhammad was born. Today the original house no longer exists (it was demolished), but the site is marked by the library built in Ottoman style. Many Muslims come to see this site and pray there.
Masjid at-Tanʿīm (Masjid ʿĀʾisha). This mosque lies on the road just outside Mecca, in the suburb of Tanʿīm. It is commonly used by pilgrims who wish to enter Ihram there for Umrah (since Mecca city proper is haram from Ihram unless one flies in already in Ihram). It can be a convenient place to begin or end the pilgrimage rites.
Museums and Markets. Mecca also has cultural attractions such as the Two Holy Mosques Architecture Museum (in the Clock Tower complex) and the Hajj Museum. The bustling Souk Al-Maabid is a market street near the mosque selling souvenirs and textiles. The entire city center, with its narrow alleys, contains traditional stone houses (where still preserved) and small mosques like Masjid Abu Bakr, which date back centuries.
What is the significance of Mecca in Islam? Mecca is Islam’s holiest city because it is the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba. Every Muslim is required to pray facing the Kaaba (qibla) in Mecca, and performing the annual Hajj pilgrimage there is a central tenet of the faith. The Qur’an names Mecca (as Bakkah) the location of “the first House of Worship for mankind,” linking it to Abrahamic tradition. In sum, Mecca symbolizes Islamic unity, history, and worship.
Why is Mecca called the holiest city? Tittelen «helligste by» gjenspeiler Mekkas enestående religiøse status. Etter langvarig enighet blant muslimer, kan ingen by konkurrere med Mekkas hellighet. Den inneholder Haram al-Makki (den hellige moské) og Kabaen, som regnes som Guds bokstavelige hus. Historisk sett er det der islam begynte, og profetens lære slo rot. Fordi alle muslimer retter sin bønn mot Mekka, har byen en posisjon som kan sammenlignes med Jerusalem eller Vatikanet i andre trosretninger. En kjent kilde understreker at Mekkas betydning «stammer fra rollen byen spiller i Hajj og Umrah, og for dens status som Muhammeds fødested». Ingen annen by er investert med samme nivå av guddommelig ærbødighet.
Kan ikke-muslimer besøke Mekka? Nei. Ikke-muslimer har strengt forbud mot å reise inn i Mekka i henhold til saudisk lov. Kontrollpunkter på motorveier som fører til Mekka bekrefter reisendes religiøse status. Kun muslimer med gyldige pilegrims- eller oppholdsvisum har lov til å komme inn i byen. Denne restriksjonen gjenspeiler islamsk tradisjon og saudisk politikk om at Mekkas hellighet utelukkende må bevares for de troende. Brudd på regelen kan føre til bøter eller utvisning.
Hva er Kaabaen i Mekka? Kabaen er en kubisk granittstruktur som ligger i sentrum av Den store moskeen (Masjid al-Haram) i Mekka. Den er drapert i et svart klede (kiswah) og markerer bønneretningen for alle muslimer. Tradisjonen hevder at Kabaen opprinnelig ble bygget av Abraham og hans sønn Ismael som et monoteistisk helligdom. Før islam huset den hundrevis av avguder, men i dag er den innviet til tilbedelsen av den ene Gud. Hvert år vandrer millioner av pilegrimer rundt Kabaen i tawaf-ritualet under Hajj og Umrah. Kabaen representerer dermed det felles åndelige hjertet av islam.
Hvor mange mennesker besøker Mekka hvert år? I de senere årene har rundt 2 til 3 millioner pilegrimer utført Hajj årlig. For eksempel var det 2 489 406 pilegrimer under Hajj i 2019. Utover Hajj gjennomfører millioner flere Umrah på andre tidspunkter; estimater anslår ofte at det totale antallet årlige pilegrimsbesøk er over 10 millioner når alle Umraher telles. I løpet av de fem dagene Hajj varer, tredobles Mekkas befolkning vanligvis. Utenom pilegrimssesongen mottar byen en jevn strøm av muslimske turister og innbyggere fra hele verden, så de daglige besøkende teller titusenvis.
Hva er Mekkas historie før islam? Mekkas tidligste historie er i stor grad innhyllet i legender, men arkeologiske og skriftlige kilder indikerer at det var en helligdom og handelsby. Lenge før Muhammed var Mekka kjent for Kabaen og Zamzam-brønnen, assosiert med abrahamittisk tradisjon. I århundrene like før islam var det et polyteistisk pilegrimssted: årlige stammemarkeder ble holdt i byen. Mekka var også et karavanekryss for handel mellom Sør-Arabia og Syria. Tradisjonen husker også «Elefantens år» (570 e.Kr.) da en abessinsk hær ikke klarte å ødelegge Kabaen. Dermed var det før-islamske Mekka allerede kulturelt og økonomisk viktig. Arkeologiske bevis og gamle tekster tyder på at det var en av flere hellige byer i Arabia, men dens nøyaktige politiske status den gang studeres fortsatt av historikere.
Hva er de viktigste ritualene ved Hajj i Mekka? Hajj inkluderer flere viktige ritualer, hvorav mange fokuserer på Mekka og dens umiddelbare omgivelser. Pilegrimer starter i Mekka med å bruke ihram-klærne, og utfører deretter Tawaf ved å gå rundt Kabaen syv ganger. Deretter går de mellom åsene Safa og Marwah (også inne i Den store moskeen) syv ganger i Saʿī-ritualet. I løpet av de neste dagene reiser pilegrimene til teltbyen Mina og tilbringer dagen på Arafat-fjellet i bønn. Den kvelden blir de i Muzdalifah. De påfølgende dagene «steiner» de djevelen ved å kaste småstein på søyler i Mina. Til slutt returnerer de til Mekka for å utføre en siste tawaf rundt Kabaen. Hvert av disse trinnene har dyp symbolsk betydning i islamsk tradisjon, men i praksis innebærer de å besøke de hellige stedene Mekka, Mina, Arafat og Muzdalifah i en foreskrevet rekkefølge.
Når er det best å besøke Mekka for å feire Umrah? Generelt er de kjøligere årstidene å foretrekke. Våren (mars–april) og høsten (sent i oktober–november) har mildere vær, med daglige høyeste temperaturer ofte under 30 °C. Disse periodene faller også utenfor den høyeste Hajj-rushtiden. Mange reisende unngår høyden av sommeren (juni–august), når temperaturene ofte overstiger 40 °C. Ramadan kan være en åndelig rik tid å besøke, men den trekker til seg svært store folkemengder og høyere priser. Pilegrimer bør konsultere klimakart og planlegge rundt både været og den islamske kalenderen. Saudiske turistmyndigheter bemerker at «De beste tidene å besøke Mekka for utendørsaktiviteter er fra slutten av februar til midten av april og slutten av oktober til midten av desember.».
Hvordan får jeg visum til Mekka? Pilegrimer må skaffe seg riktig saudisk visum. For Hajj søker man gjennom et akkreditert reisebyrå som arrangerer gruppepilegrimsreisen (visumsøknader sendes inn på vegne av pilegrimene av byrået). For Umrah og turisme tilbyr Saudi-Arabia Umrah-/turistvisum. I de senere år har et nettbasert e-visumsystem vært på plass, som lar kvalifiserte reisende søke elektronisk (med visum ved ankomst for de som har gyldige amerikanske, britiske eller Schengen-visum). Fra juni 2025 ble Umrah-visumordningen gjeninnført etter Hajj-sesongen. Søkere trenger vanligvis et pass gyldig i minst seks måneder, bevis på vaksinasjon og en bekreftet reiserute. Det anbefales å bestille en saudisk-godkjent turpakke eller bruke offisielle visumkanaler for oppdatert informasjon, siden retningslinjene kan endres.
Hvilke overnattingsmuligheter finnes i Mekka? Mekka tilbyr hundrevis av hoteller og gjestehus. De mest attraktive overnattingsstedene er store hoteller i nærheten av Grand Mosque-plassen – fra 5-stjerners internasjonale kjeder til arabiske hoteller i mellomklassen. Det er viktig å bestille tidlig, da disse fylles raskt opp under Hajj og Ramadan. Bort fra sentrum finner man rimeligere gjestehus og enkle hoteller. Pilegrimer på organiserte turer bor ofte i Mina under Hajj (i teltleirer eller på hoteller i Mina) arrangert av pakken. Budsjettpilegrimer kan bo i delte rom eller i nærliggende Jeddah, ved hjelp av skyttelbusser. Nyere utbygginger (som King Abdulaziz Endowment Project) legger til titusenvis av rom. I hovedsak varierer alternativene fra luksussuiter med utsikt over moskeen til enkle sovesaler; tilgjengeligheten avhenger av tidspunkt og budsjett.
Hva bør jeg ha på meg når jeg besøker Mekka? Beskjedenhet er påkrevd. Menn bør dekke til skuldre og knær; under pilegrimsreisen bruker de det hvite todelte ihram-plagget (som symboliserer enhet og renhet). Kvinner må dekke til armer, ben og hår som et minimum (en abaya og hodeskjerf er tilstrekkelig; ansiktsslør er ikke lovpålagt i Mekka, i motsetning til i noen andre saudiske byer, men noen kvinner velger å bruke dem). Alle besøkende bør unngå tettsittende eller prangende klær og bør ikke avsløre knær, midje eller utringning. Hvite klær for menn og abayaer for kvinner er normen. Fottøy må være enkle sandaler eller sko som lett kan tas av (sko tas av for bønn inne i moskeer). Kleskoden er strengt tatt i samsvar med saudiske offentlige standarder: utenlandske miniskjørt, shorts, ermeløse topper eller ikke-konservative klær er ikke tillatt. Å overholde lokale normer av respekt vil sikre at det ikke oppstår problemer ved kontrollposter eller i moskeen.
Er det noen restriksjoner for kvinner i Mekka? I de senere årene har mange restriksjoner blitt lettet. Tidligere krevde saudisk politikk at enslige kvinner skulle reise til Hajj med en mannlig verge (mahram). Fra og med 2021 ble denne regelen opphevet: enslige kvinner kan nå utføre Hajj eller Umrah uten en mannlig slektning, forutsatt at de bestiller med en lisensiert gruppeoperatør. Ellers har kvinner i hovedsak samme tilgangsrettigheter som menn i Mekka. Alle regler for beskjeden klesdrakt gjelder likt. Saudisk lov forbyr ubeslektede menn og kvinner å bo alene i et privat rom, men dette er sjelden et problem for pilegrimer som bor på hotell eller i leirer. Totalt sett følger Mekka saudiske normer: kvinner har full tilgang til moskeen (kvinneavdelinger) og står fritt til å delta i alle ritualer. Vergemålslover for reiser gjelder ikke i Saudi-Arabien når visum- og eskortekravene er oppfylt.
Hva er transportmulighetene i Mekka? Bortsett fra Haramain-toget og Jeddah flyplass som allerede er nevnt, er lokal reise enkel. Sentrum er kompakt, så det er ofte enklest å gå. Elektriske vogner betjener eldre. Drosjer og samkjøringstjenester kjører innenfor byen (selv om prisene stiger kraftig under Hajj). Det finnes også offentlige busser (SAPTCO) som kjører rundt Mekka og til nabobyer som Ta'if. For de pilegrimsspesifikke rutene kjører Mekka Metro-linjen (Al Mashaaer) i Hajj-sesongen mellom de hellige stedene. Sjåfører bør være oppmerksomme på Hajj-rutens motorveisystem: spesielle kjørefelt frakter pilegrimer til Mina, Muzdalifah og Arafat. Privatbiler frarådes i nærheten av Den store moskeen på grunn av trafikksperringer. Oppsummert reiser pilegrimer vanligvis med organisert buss eller metro under Hajj, og med drosjer eller busser i andre tider.
Hvilke severdigheter i Mekka er det man absolutt må få med seg, foruten Kabaen? I tillegg til Den store moskeen og Kabaen, ser besøkende ofte åsene Safa og Marwah (inne i moskeen). Mange pilegrimer klatrer opp Jabal al-Nour for å besøke Hira-hulen (stedet for den første åpenbaringen). Bayt al-Mawlid (Makkah-biblioteket) markerer profetens fødested. Pilegrimer tar turen til Mina (for steiningstøttene) og Arafat (for Arafat-dagens bønner) på Hajj-dagene. Masjid at-Tanʿim (Masjid ʿĀʾisha) i utkanten av Mekka besøkes av mange for å utføre Umrah-ritualer. Andre attraksjoner inkluderer historiske moskeer (f.eks. Masjid Abu Bakr, Masjid Ali ibn Abi Talib), den pulserende Al-Ma'la-kirkegården hvor mange tidlige islamske skikkelser er gravlagt, og de travle suvenir-soukene i nærheten av Haram. Selv om det er kommersielt, tilbyr Abraj Al-Bait-kjøpesenteret under klokketårnet shopping og utsikt over byen. Hvert av disse stedene gir ytterligere innsikt i Mekkas historie og religiøse liv.
Mecca’s story is as ancient as it is living. From its beginnings as an Arabian sanctuary and trading town, it became the cradle of Islam and today stands as the singular destination of religious devotion. Every stone in its Grand Mosque resonates with history: the footsteps of prophets, pilgrims and rulers of countless generations have tread here. In modern times the city balances grand infrastructure projects with its timeless character as a spiritual center. Even as skyscrapers rise, Mecca’s streets remain woven with centuries of tradition — the quiet reverence of its residents, the glow of lanterns over the Kaaba, the chants of pilgrims on their tawaf. For the Muslim world, Mecca is not only a place on the map but also a symbol of unity and faith. This article has sought to illuminate both the deep heritage and the contemporary realities of Mecca, providing a comprehensive guide to its significance, history, culture and practical aspects. The city endures as the holiest focal point of a world-spanning community, constantly renewed by the countless faithful who journey here.
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