Mecca and Medina

​​
Some photos from the Holy cities of Mecca and Medina are shown here. The most sacred place in Islam is the Ka'ba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Ka'ba is a mosque (built by Abraham according to Muslim tradition) built around a black stone. The Prophet Muhammad designated Mecca as the holy city of Islam and the direction (Qibla) in which all Muslims should offer their prayers.

The Ka'ba is believed to be the first place that was created on earth and the place at which heavenly bliss and power touches the earth directly. Mecca is located in the Hijaz region of western Saudi Arabia. The city lies inland 73 kilometers east of Jeddah, in the narrow, sandy Valley of Abraham. The Holy City is 277 meters (909 feet) above sea level.