|
Mecca Hotel - Reservation information in Mecca Saudi Arabia |
| |
| The city of Mecca has a special significance for all Muslims for several reasons. First, it was the birthplace of Prophet Mohammad. Second, God’s message was revealed to the Prophet in this city. Third, it contains what Muslims consider the Holiest place on Earth, namely al-Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque). It is the duty of all Muslims to visit Mecca, at least once in their lifetime, for pilgrimage. The city is the capital of Saudi Arabia’s Makkah province in the historic Hejaz region. |
 |
|
| |
| The Ka’aba, the scared stone of the Islamic faith, is found in Mecca. An indicator of the significance of this city to Muslims is the fact that no matter what country they live in, they must face the Ka’aba during their daily prayers, in honour of Abraham. |
| |
 |
Every year, during the last month of the Islamic calendar, over 1,000,000 pilgrims visit Mecca from all over the world for Hajj. What is Hajj? It is basically the Fifth Pillar of the Muslim faith that true believers have to obey. Believers visit the city during either of the two occasions: either during the Muslim month of Dhu al-Hijjah for Hajj, or for Umrah, a minor pilgrimage that can be done at any time during the year. Noteworthy to mention is the fact that the city prohibits the presence of anyone who isn’t Muslim. |
|
| |
| What does a pilgrim headed to Mecca need to do before getting on the airplane? Islam asks the pilgrim to pay all his debts, restore all wrongs, guarantee support for his family during his absence, and have enough money for his own journey. Once the pilgrim completes these, he has to take a vaccination against Meningococcal Meningitis. Pilgrims arriving from the former USSR countries need to be vaccinated against diphtheria. The pilgrim should pack basic clothing and necessary items, but should refrain from packing any kind of food, as it is not allowed through the airport. |
 |
|
| |
| The basic health measures a pilgrim must take into consideration for a healthy trip during pilgrimage are the following: |
| |
- Do not to drink unboiled water because it is potentially contaminated. Any water used for any purpose must be boiled.
- It is better to drink powdered milk and eat well-cooked meat.
- The vegetables to be eaten must be cooked and the fruits peeled.
In addition to health measures, pilgrims need to beware of pickpockets dispersed throughout Mecca. |
| |
 |
The journey of pilgrimage begins about two months before the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah. Once the pilgrims reach Jeddah, they register with a pilgrim guide who would be responsible for them during their visit to Mecca; making their food, lodge, and transportation arrangements. Later, they are transferred to Mecca by bus. When the pilgrims reach an area that is about 10 km away from Mecca, they enter a state of holiness and wear a special garment known as Ihram which is comprised of two white seamless sheets that are wrapped around the body. |
|
| |
|
| |
Once in Mecca, the pilgrims enter the mosque and walk seven times around the Ka’aba in a counterclockwise direction. Some pilgrims touch and kiss its cornerstone, the Hajar Aswad.
The Ka’aba, a small cubic structure which is surrounded by the Sacred Mosque, is believed to be built by Patriarch Abraham, who’s considered to be the first true believer in God. The Ka’aba is the central point of Mecca, the house of God. It is covered with a gold-embroidered black fabric. |
 |
|
| |
| The next ritual the pilgrims follow is drinking water from the Zamzam which is believed to have exceptional health benefits.
Once the rituals in Mecca are completed, the pilgrims travel to Mina and stone the devil, symbolized by columns, in this small village. Then they proceed to the Hill of Arafah, where the Prophet delivered his farewell sermon. The ‘Halt’ in this plain is the central point of the Hajj. |
| |
| Then the pilgrims visit the sacred site of Muzdalifah, in addition to other sites, and then they return to the Ka’aba.
Finally, the pilgrims sacrifice an animal to honour Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice Ishmael.
Once they have completed their pilgrimage, the men hold the title Hajj, while the females the title Hajji. |
| |
Mecca’s main economy flourishes through providing services to pilgrims and holding huge fairs for them during the month of Hajj.
Due to its religious importance, the city has ensured well-developed means of transportation. Highways connect Mecca to Jeddah and Riyadh, and the Jeddah airport and seaport also provide practical means to commute. In addition, there are affordable jets that are used for transportation.
In addition to the above advances the city has grown remarkably in the last few decades; it now features major shopping malls and skyscrapers like the Abraj Al Bait Towers. The city also has good health care facilities for pilgrims; the Saudi Red Crescent Society provides medical services to millions of pilgrims arriving to Mecca. |
| |
| The pilgrimage to Mecca unifies Muslims of different countries and brings them together regardless of their social status, wealth, and nationality. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia makes sure that all the pilgrims visit the city with safety; the King himself funds many of the facilities which are growing year by year, two of which include mobile facilities for banking and telecommunications, and the distribution of iced water to the pilgrims. Get mecca hotels, mecca accommodation, hotels in mecca, mecca hotel reservations, mecca motel reservation, cheap mecca hotels booking, mecca map & mecca hosting from here. |
| |
|
