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Saudi Arabia
The Holy City of Makkah
The Holy City of Makkah, which lies inland 73 kilometers east
of Jeddah, is the place where the Prophet Mohammad, (Peace
be Upon Him), was born - the place where God’s message was
first revealed to him and the city to which he returned after
the migration to Madinah in 622 AD.
Makkah is the holiest city on Earth for Muslims. Five times
each day, the world’s one billion Muslims, wherever they may
be, turn to the Holy City of Makkah to pray. And at least
once in their lives, all Muslims who are not prevented by
personal circumstance, perform the Hajj, the pilgrimage to
Makkah. Thus each year the Holy City of Makkah hosts about
two million hajjis (pilgrims) from all over the world The
Holy Mosque in Makkah houses the Ka’aba, in the corner of
which is set the Black Stone which marks the starting point
for the seven circumambulations of the Holy Mosque which every
hajji must complete.
The Holy City is served by the seaport and international airport
of Jiddah Below you can see a selection of pictures from the
Holy City of Makkah Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah The place where
faith has gathered and adhered to, and which became the abode
of Prophet Mohammad, the Messenger of Allah (Peace be Upon
Him). Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah holds a distinguished place
in the hearts of all Muslims.
It was the first capital in Islam and from here, Islamic propagation
was launched as well as the conquests to open new lands to
Islam. At the heart of the city is the second of The Two Holy
Mosques, The Prophet’s Mosque, and the final resting place
of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be Upon Him). The Prophet’s
Mosque has been a distinguished symbol in the history of Islam
and that of its legislation. Allah, the Almighty, commanded
His Messenger (Peace be Upon Him) to establish his mosque
in the location He precisely demarcated. The radiance of Islam
advanced from it and spread to all directions of the Earth.
Oppression and tyranny were expulsed by its magnificent brilliance,
along with the oppressors and their injustice.
Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah has been a centre of tradition and
heritage since ancient times. This is especially in the fields
of academics and sociological refinement and advancement.
Many native scholars went forth from it to spread knowledge.
At the same time, many scholars and students came to it from
the east and west, from the ends of the Earth, in search of
knowledge, which they found in the lessons held iat the Prophet’s
Mosque. What emerged from Al-Madinah was one Islamic culture.
Through the long centuries, residents of the city have inherited
this culture and it is apparent in their behavior and nature.
Visitors to Al-Madinah have written about it and about what
they had found in the mild manner and sociable, noble conduct
of the residents of Madinah. Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah is the
second of Islam’s cities, after Makkah Al-Mukarramah. It has
a long and important history. The first Muslim community flourished
in Madinah. The Muslims, who were persecuted in Makkah, by
the Quraish tribe, emigrated to it. When the Prophet (Peace
be Upon Him) himself emigrated to Madinah in 622 A.D., it
became the capital of the emerging Islamic state.
Islam spread first, all over the Arabian Peninsula and then,
to the adjacent countries. Madinah remained the capital of
the Islamic state until the end of the era of Ar- Rashideen
Caliphate, in the year 661 A.D., (corresponding to the 40th
year after the Hijrah {Emigration}). The capital of the Islamic
State was then shifted to Damascus, with the move of the Umayyad
Caliphate. Located in Madinah, is the Prophet’s Mosque, the
second most important mosque in Islam, after the Grand Mosque
(Al-Haram), in Makkah.
Muslims from all over the world visit it, grasping the opportunity
afforded them to offer prayers in it and to extend their salutations
upon the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), who is buried
in the chamber in which he died. The chamber was next to the
mosque at that time, but has since been incorporated into
the mosque with a subsequent expansion.
It also provides the chance to attend the lessons of various
scholars held daily in the Prophet’s Mosque, as well as other
lectures that are delivered in various centers of cultural
activity.
In Madinah there are other important places of Islamic legal,
historic and cultural significance, which have been painstakingly
preserved, to visit. Among them are: Qubaa’ Mosque, Baqia
Al- Gharqad, and the Graves of the Martyrs of the Battle of
Uhud, which is near Mount Uhud.
There are other historic places in Madinah, as well, which
are associated with events that occurred in the time of the
Messenger of Allah (Peace be Upon Him) and his Noble Companions.
A visit to these places is solely to remember that event,
to benefit from the inspiration that the recollection they
evoke, and to become more aware of our noble and respected
forebears, when considering the implications of what transpired;
our belief is strengthened by their example These other historic
places are not for worship, the sole benefit of stopping at
these places is to recall the particular event and the reasons
for its occurrence.
Capital:
Riyadh, which lies in the Central Region, is the capital city
of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and now rivals any modern city
in the world in the splendor of its architecture. Broad highways
sweep through the city, passing over or under each other in
an impressive and still growing road network. Trees now bedeck
the broad streets and avenues, giving pleasure to passers-by
and shade to those who linger beneath them. Today the city
extends for some 600 square miles (1600 square kilometers)
and has a population of more than 4.7 million
The name Riyadh is derived from the Arabic word meaning a
place of gardens and trees (“Rawdah”). With many wadis (a
former water course, now dry) in the vicinity, Riyadh has
been since ancient times, a fertile area set in the heartland
of the Arabian Peninsula
Of all the kingdoms developmental achievements, Riyadh is
perhaps the most obvious and accessible to the foreign visitor.
From the moment they land at the King Khalid International
Airport, itself a marvel of design blending the traditional
Arab style with the best of modern architecture in a perfect
harmony of spacious practicality, the traveler is aware that
he has reached a city that must be counted one of the wonders
of modern times
Currency:
The Saudi currency is the Riyal. Riyal banknotes are issued
in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Riyal.
The riyal is divided into 100 Halala. Coins are issued in
the value of 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 Halala.
Visa Requirements:Visa Requirements:
Everyone who enters the kingdom should have a valid passport
with at least 6 months validity and the appropriate visa.
Unless you are a visitor from a GCC country or in transit,
all other nationalities require a visa to enter the kingdom.
Visas can be obtained for business, tourist, transit, residency,
family, Hajj, Omrah and pilgrimage purposes or to attend conferences.
Visas can be obtained from the consular sections at Saudi
Arabian diplomatic missions in the visitors home country or
from those located around the world. The cost of a visa is
generally 200 Saudi Riyals. However, visitors should check
with the diplomatic mission for the latest visa fees.
Important Instructions:
If a woman is arriving in the Kingdom alone, the sponsor or
her husband must receive her at the airport. Every woman must
have confirmed accommodation for the duration of her stay
in the kingdom. A woman is not allowed to drive a car and
can therefore travel by car only if she is accompanied by
her husband, a male relative, or a driver.
All visitors to the kingdom must have a return ticket. Pilgrims
must also have all valid documentation and a passport that
is valid for 6 months.
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea,
north of Yemen
Geographic coordinates:
25 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
Total: 2,149,690 sq km
Land: 2,149,690 sq km
Water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
Land boundaries:
Total: 4,431 km
border countries:
Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676
km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
Coastline:
2,640 km
Climate:
Harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Terrain:
Mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
Highest point: Jabal Sawda’ 3,133 m
Natural resources:
Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Geography :
Extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide
great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through
Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
Population:
27,019,731
includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2006 est.)
Nationality:
Saudi(s)
Ethnic groups:
Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
Religions:
Muslim 100%
Languages:
Arabic
Country name:
Conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Conventional short form: Saudi Arabia
Local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
Local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
Government type:
Monarchy
Capital:
Riyadh
Administrative divisions:
13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al
Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar
Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), <Asir, Ha>il,
Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk
National holiday:
Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)
Currency :
Saudi riyal (SAR)
Exchange rates:
Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.745 (2006), 3.747 (2005),
3.75 (2004), 3.75 (2003), 3.75 (2002)
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