Masjid Al Haram (Grand Mosque)

Makkah’s holy and much-revered centerpiece is the Masjid Al Haram, or Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in the world and the destination of Islamic pilgrims for more than 14 centuries, who journey here during Hajj (major pilgrimage) and Umrah (minor pilgrimage) which can be undertaken at almost any time of the year.

Ka’aba

Within the Grand Mosque is the Ka’aba, or House of God, the holiest single site in Islam, and the focus of Muslims worldwide, who turn in its direction to pray five times each day. This act signifies unity among all Muslims, and is a constant and ongoing declaration that to Muslims there is no God but Allah, and that Mohammed is His messenger.

Zamzam Well

Also within the Grand Mosque, about 20 meters east of the Ka’aba, is the legendary Zamzam well. According to Islamic belief, this is a miraculously-generated source of water from God that was discovered thousands of years ago when Abraham’s wife, Hajar, was desperately seeking water for her infant son Ishmael in the desert. Growing more and more concerned, Hajar ran seven times back and forth between the two hills of Safa and Marwah, an act that has been replicated by pilgrims ever since. Suddenly, thirsty Ishmael scraped the desert sand with his tiny feet, and water gushed forth. Abraham later rebuilt the Ka’aba near the site of the well in tribute to its miraculous origins, and today, millions of pilgrims visit the well each year to drink the water during their pilgrimages. Not only is Zamam water greatly significant in value and meaning; it is also known to satisfy thirst and hunger, as well as cure sickness.

Jabal Al-Nour (Mountain of the Light)

This is the famous mountain east of Makkah where the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) received his first revelation from the Archangel Gabriel in the cave of Hira. It is another major destination for pilgrims.

Al-Jamarat

This area of Jamarat, on the plain of Mina, is the site of one of the main rituals of Hajj, where Muslims stone the devil during the annual pilgrimage. This symbolizes the trials experienced by Prophet Abraham while he decided whether to sacrifice his son as demanded by Allah (SWT). 

Jabal Thawr

This is the cave where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq hid in from Makkans who were persecuting the Prophet before he finally migrated to Yathrib, which was later renamed Madinah.

Qasr As-Saqqaf

Located in the Al-Maabda quarter on Al-Abtah Street, this is one of the oldest buildings in Makkah, and represents traditional architectural design with its unique Islamic motifs.

Qasr Khozam

A large area in the An-Nuzlah Al-Yamaniyyah quarters of Makkah is called Khozam, and several old palaces are located here. The name of Qasr Khozam has been adopted for the palace of King Abdul Aziz, built between 1347 and 1351 using stones brought from the west coast of Saudi Arabia. A part of the palace has been converted into a museum of archaeology and ethnology.

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Raffles Makkah Palace
King Abdul Aziz Endowment, PO Box 1281, Makkah 21955, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
Tel: +966 2 571 7 888
Toll Free: 800 121 7 888
Fax: +966 2 571 7 999
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makkah@raffles.com
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