A GUEST OF ALLAH IS A GUEST OF SAUDIA MAKKAH CITY GUIDE 1
INTRODUCTION USEFUL INFORMATION Makkah Al Mukaramah is the heart of the Islamic world, the cradle of revelation and the holiest city in Islam. The city is the birthplace of Prophet Mohammed Peace be upon him and it is here within the Great Mosque that the Ka aba, the most sacred shrine of Islam, awaits the Muslim pilgrim in Hajj & Umrah. Discover Makkah Al Mukaramah, the most sacred land on earth and learn more about the religious and historical places you must visit during your Umrah. Where South East Asia GMT/UTC + 3h 15 Number of guests Million yearly WEATHER Average temperature during the year Jan 30 18 Apr 38 24 Jul 43 28 Oct 40 25 Feb 31 18 May 42 27 Aug 42 29 Nov 35 22 Mar 34 20 Jun 44 28 Sep 42 28 Dec 31 20 Maximum Minimum 2 3
PLACES TO VISIT 4 5
1. Jabal Al Nour (The Mountain of Light) HISTORICAL PLACES TO VISIT The mountain houses the famed Ghar Hira or Hira cave. The mountain is barely 640 m tall. It does however, take two hours to make it to the cave. The mount and the cave hold tremendous signicance for Muslims throughout the world. 2. Ghar Hira (Hira Cave) Taking 1,200 walking steps to reach, the cave itself is about 3.7 m in length and 1.6 m in width. The cave is situated at a height of 270 m of Jabal Al Nour Mountain. During Hajj season an estimated of ve thousand pilgrims climb to the Cave of Hira daily to see the place where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received the rst revelation of Quran. 3. Mount Arafat Mount Arafat reaches about 70 m in height and is also known as the Mount of Mercy (Jabal ar-rahmah). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stood and delivered the Farewell Sermon to the Muslims who had accompanied him for the Hajj towards the end of his life. 4. Ghar Al Thawr (Cave of the Bull) Ghar Al Thawr is located in Al Thawr mountin. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companion Abu Bakr (RA) took refuge from the Quraish, during the migration to Al Madinah Al Munawarah. 5. Masjid Aisha (RA) Masjid Aisha, also known as Masjid at-tan eem marks the place where Ummul-Mu mineen Aisha (RA) went to enter into Ihram for Umrah when the Prophet (PBUH) told her to do so during the farewell Hajj. 6 7
6. Bay ah Mosque Also known as the Mosque of Aqaba Hill. It was built at the request of Caliph Abu Ja far al-mansur in 2/761 at the site of al-bay ah, i.e. the place where the Prophet Muhammad met with the Ansar (the supporters), and they took the pledge ( Bay ah, hence the name). 11. Al Saggaf Palace One of the largest historical palaces in the country, the Saggaf Palace is a testament to the glorious past of Makkah. The palace is currently fenced off and in a dilapidated condition, but onlookers can grasp glimpses of the former glory its ruins evoke. 8. Aisha Al Rajhi Mosque Can accommodate more than 47 thousand worshipers, which was built by businessman Sheikh Sulaiman Al Rajhi stood from his mother. Area of the mosque is estimated at 60,846 square meters. 7. Hudaibiyah Mosque This is the place where the historic treaty of Hudaibiyah was signed by the Prophet (PBUH). It sits close to the Haram boundary. Today, a mosque marks the site, adjacent to which is an undated crumbling structure. 13. Makkah Library This library sited on the place where the Prophet (PBUH) was born on Monday 12 Rabi Al-Awwal (April 571,22 CE), in the Year of the Elephant 12. Abraj Al Bait Also known as, Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower, it is a ver-star hotel located next to the Masjid Al Haram with a prime location as the closest hotel to The Holy Kaaba and the best for Umrah and Hajj. It is one of the world s tallest buildings with 120 oors and 1542 guest rooms suites and Residences, nine state-of-the-art restaurants, 56 elevators that allow easy access to and from Al Masjid Al Haram. 10. Assalamu Alaika Ayyuha Annabi Museum Is dedicated to the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and highlights the various key moments in the Prophet s life. It also shows glimpses from the daily life of the Prophet (PBUH). 9. Makkah Museum Highlights the cultural and historical dimensions of Makkah region, and to inform and educate the community. It offers details between the civilizations and the history of Makkah since the dawn of history until the prosperous present. This Museum was established in Al-Zahir Palace. Museum was established in Al-Zahir Palace. 15. Two Holy Mosques Architecture Exhibition t holds a magnicent array of items that were part of the two Holy Harams in Makkah and Madinah at one time, dating as far back as the 10th century (AH). Some of the main pieces are the doors of The Holy Kaaba and the Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah, which have been replaced during renovations and enhancements over the centuries. 14. Kiswa Factory Kiswa factory is where visitors can get to see the Kiswa of The Holy Kaaba being made right in front of them. The factory has been making the kiswa of The Holy Kaaba since 1927 AD and has gone through many upgrades and renovation works over the years. To visit the factory you will need a permit beforehand. 8 9
16. Makkah Gate A landmark on the Makkah Mukkarram road of the Jeddah-Makkah Highway. It is the entrance to Makkah Al Mukarama. The gate signies the boundary of the haram area of the city of Makkah, where non-muslims are prohibited to enter. The structure is that of a book, representing the Qur an, sitting on a rehal, or book stand. 20. Muzdalifah Is an open area near Makkah Al Mukaramah associated with the Hajj. It lies just southeast of Mina on the route between Mina and Arafat. The stay at Muzdalifah is preceded by a day at Arafat, consisting of glorifying Allah, repeating the Supplication, and repentance to Allah and asking Him for forgiveness. 17. Namra Mosque In the second century of Islam, Masjid Nimrah was built at the spot where the Prophet (PBUH) delivered his famous sermon at Waadi Urana, after which he led the salah. 21. Rami al-jamarat Stoning of the Devil is part of the Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah Al Mukaramah. During the ritual, Muslim pilgrims throw pebbles at three walls (formerly pillars), called Jamarat, in the city of Mina just east of MAkkah Al Mukaramah. 18. Jannat al-mu alla Also known as the Cemetery of Ma la and Al-Hajun, is a cemetery to the north of the Masjid al-haram. It is the place where The Prophet s wife, grandfather, and other ancestors are buried. 22. Al-Safa and Al-Marwah Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are two small hills located in the Masjid al-haram in Makkah Al Mukaramah, between which pilgrims travel back and forth seven times during the Hajj and Umrah. 19. Mina Also known as the Tent City. It is situated 5 kilometres to the east of Makkah Al Mukarama. It covers an area of approximately 20 km². Mina is best known for the role it plays during the Hajj. More than 100,000 air-conditioned tents that can house more than 3 million people provide temporary accommodation to visiting pilgrims. 23. Makkah Mall Dedicated to create a vibrant and unique upscale shopping, dining and entertainment environment for the whole family. 10 11
FACILITIES PILGRIMS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS HEALTH TIPS FOR MADINAH GUESTS Transport in the Kingdom: Buses are not equipped to handle wheel-chairs. Disabled pilgrims must ensure that they or their carers have made arrangements with private taxi rms for transportation in the Kingdom, either through your travel agent or though your service provider in the Kingdom. In general, hotels are not equipped for the disabled, with the exception of some of the top hotels. Again, it is crucial that you check with the hotel before booking, to explain your needs and to ensure they can be met. The Grand Mosque is well-equipped for the disabled. It has escalators and ramps to enable wheelchairs to move easily from one level to another. Wheel-chairs are provided free of charge in the Grand Mosque but, if you need assistance in pushing your wheel-chair, the pusher will charge for providing this service. Taking care of the cleanliness of food and drink, and carefully washing vegetables and fruits. Avoiding exposure to the sun for long periods, and staying away from crowded places as much as possible. Getting enough rest and sleep. Wearing light cotton clothes which are loose and light colored. Having plenty of uids on hot days, especially on the Day of Arafah. Reducing physical exertion by avoiding activities like walking in the market, especially during the times of intense heat. Consulting a doctor as soon as one feels any discomfort or illness 12 13
SERVICES AROUND THE HOLY CITY 14 15
HOSPITAL HOTEL RENTAL RESTAURANTS 1. Makkah Medical Center 2. Heraa General Hospital 3. Al Kholood Hospital 4. King Abdulaziz Hospital 5. Shifa Al Baraka Medical Center 6. Al Rafie Hospital 7. King Faisal Hospital 8. Albayt Medical Center 9. Ajyad Emergency Hospital 10. Al Abeer Medical Center 11. Saudi National Hospital 12. Asian Polyclinic Azizia 13. Mina Al Wadi Hospital 14. Alawi Tunsi Hospital 15. King Abdullah Medical City 16. Al Noor Specialist Hospital 17. Maternity and Children Hospital 18. Security Forces Hospital 19. East Arafat Hospital 20. Makkah Hilton Towers 21. Abraj Al Bait 22. Hotel Pullman ZamZam Makkah 23. Swissotel Makkah 24. Le Meridien Makkah 25. Le Meridien Towers Makkah 26. Cristal Al Aseel Hotel 27. Concorde Mina Hotel 28. Drnef Hotel Makkah 29. Tahweel Al Rajhi 30. Enjaz CURRENCY EXCHANGE 31. Makkah Hilton Towers 32. Tahweel Al Rajhi 33. Tahweel Al Rajhi 44. Automark Rent a Car 45. Key Rent a Car 46. Automark Rent a Car 47. Budget 48. Key Rent a Car 49. Budget 50. Budget 51. Hanco Rent A Car 52. Automark Rent a Car 53. Key Rent a Car DATES MARKET 54. Jarwal 55. Siafa Dates (Abraj Al Bait) 56. Siafa Dates (Safwa Towers) 34. Saad Aldeen conctionary Dessert 35. Al Multaqa - Seafood 36. Albaik - Fast Food 37. Hyatt Regency International and Arabic 38. Al Ruwad - Middle Eastern 39. Faisalabad Restaurant Pakistani, Indian 40. Deyafa Restaurant (Abraj Al Bait) International, Asian, Middle Eastern, Vegetarian 41. Al Shorfa (Abraj Al Bait) International, Mediterranean, Asian, Egyptian 42. Felda D Saji Asian, Malaysian 43. Simit Sarayi (Abraj Al Bait) Dessert SAUDIA AIRLINES ZAMZAM WATER 57. Water (Masjid al Haram) 58. Water processing plant STORAGE AREA 59. Lockers (Masjid al Haram) Makkah Al Mokkaramah 9200-22222 Alshohada CTO Makkah +966 12 5443411 CTO Haram Makkah +966 12 5377044 Umm Al-Qura Ofce +966 12 5589184 Branch Ofce: Governor House Ofce (STO) +966 12 5725184 16 17
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