PILGRIMAGE / MIRAGE & MERIDIAN

PILGRIMAGE

CODE / M-01

Mecca — al-Masjid al-Haram

TYPEThe Sacred Mosque FOUNDED7th century LOCATIONMecca, Hejaz Province BEST TIMEHajj — Dhul Hijjah; Umrah — year-round STATUSRestricted

BY THE NUMBERS · 1.5 billion faces turned · 2.5 million hajjis at peak

The largest mosque on the planet — 356,000 m², holding up to four million worshippers at peak Hajj. Entry is Muslim-only: the boundary sits 40 km from the centre. Pilgrimage requires ihram, an advance visa and registration via Nusuk.sa. Twice a year this is the largest peaceful crowd on Earth.

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CODE / M-02

Medina — al-Masjid an-Nabawi

TYPEMosque of the Prophet FOUNDED622 LOCATIONMedina, Hejaz Province BEST TIMEAfter Isha prayer — the crowd thins STATUSRestricted

BY THE NUMBERS · 400,500 m² · 10 minarets · 27 sliding domes

Islam's second holiest mosque — and the second largest. The green dome above the Prophet's tomb is visible from anywhere in the old town. In the heat the domes slide open automatically, shading the courtyards. Medina itself is formally open to non-Muslims, but entry to the mosque proper is for Muslims only.

Two cities towards which one and a half billion hearts turn.

PILGRIMAGE

Mecca — al-Masjid al-Haram

Medina — al-Masjid an-Nabawi