Discover the Holy City: Top 10 Fun Facts About Mecca You Never Knew!

1. No Photography Allowed!

Say cheese, but don't snap: In a bid to maintain the sanctity of Mecca and the Mosque of the Prophet Muhammad, Saudi authorities now prohibit photography and filming during the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages - with rule-breakers risking the confiscation of their equipment.
Source => egyptindependent.com

2. Hill Hopping Between Safa and Marwa

Fancy a game of "Hill Hopping"? Mecca decided to play one with Safa and Marwa in the mid-20th century: In 1955/56, the two small hills originally located outside Masjid al-Haram were annexed into the mosque, forever altering the Sa'ee ritual of pilgrimage as millions of Muslims now travel between them seven times during Hajj and Umrah, honoring Hajar's search for water and divine providence.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

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=> Fun Facts about Dubai

3. Grand Mosque's $21 Billion Makeover

In what could be dubbed the mother of all renovations, Mecca's Grand Mosque is getting a heavenly upgrade to accommodate its ever-growing congregation: A whopping $21 billion expansion project is underway, which will triple the mataf area's capacity to 150,000 pilgrims and allow the Great Mosque to hold a divine 2.5 million worshippers at once, making the annual Hajj pilgrimage an even more awe-inspiring experience.
Source => time.com

4. Mecca: The Cosmic GPS

Meet Mecca – the cosmic GPS for Muslims: Birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and home to the Masjid al-Haram, the world's largest mosque which encircles the Kaaba, a cubic architectural beauty that billions of Muslims get their daily dose of spiritual swiveling towards. Don't be shocked if you see millions of people taking the Hajj pilgrimage and spinning around this celestial centerpiece like a bunch of devout human Beyblades every year, obeying the Five Pillars of Islam and practicing their faith in the most epic way possible.
Source => st-barnabas.kent.sch.uk

5. The Real MVP: Zamzam Water

Move over, Evian and Fiji: it turns out we've been overlooking the real MVP of H2O all along! Nestled within Mecca's Masjid Al Haram is the legendary Zamzam water: a germ-free, healing powerhouse packed with calcium, magnesium salts, and natural fluorides. Flowing at an astonishing rate of 20 litres per second, this self-replenishing elixir brings purity and hydration next-level for visiting Muslims during Haj.
Source => risingkashmir.com

6. Kaaba: The Original Holy Box

When Abraham was feeling "boxed in" by all things holy, he went ahead and built the first one: The Kaaba is a time-tested, cubical structure draped in silk and cotton that has been guiding prayers and pilgrimages since the days of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), attracting millions of Muslims to this veritable "Mecca" for spiritual enlightenment.
Source => khanacademy.org

7. Hajj: The Ultimate Spiritual Party

Imagine a party so big, it's like Woodstock and Times Square on New Year's Eve combined, but instead of groovy tunes and fireworks, there's faith and devotion in the air: Mecca's Hajj pilgrimage is one of the largest annual gatherings of people on the planet, with millions of Muslims from around the world coming together. Although the Saudi government had to play party pooper and limit attendees due to COVID-19, Hajj remains a momentous spiritual experience for Muslims and one of their five essential religious duties.
Source => statista.com

8. Unified Fashion Statement: Ihram

Ever wanted to attend a fashion show where everyone's rocking the same outfit? Welcome to Mecca during the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages: all the attendees, regardless of wealth or status, wear plain and simple clothing called ihram, with men in white cloth wraps and women in loose-fitting robes, symbolizing unity, humility, and devotion in their spiritual journey.
Source => makkah-madinah.accor.com

9. Wheelchair-Bound Pilgrimage Triumph

Wheeling and dealing with divine devotion: In 1992, Betty Hasan Amin, a paraplegic pilgrim, defied all odds and rolled her way to Mecca, completing her hajj alongside her unwavering companions, proving that not even wheelchair-bound limitations could stop her faith-fueled journey.
Source => latinodawah.org

10. Nap Time in Mina's Japanese Sleep Pods

Move over, Goldilocks – there's no need to fear uncomfortable naps in Mecca: During the annual hajj, the city of Mina now provides imported Japanese sleep pods, free to use by pilgrims. These cozy capsules, less than three meters long and just over a meter high, come equipped with a mattress, clean sheets, air conditioning, and a large, well-lit mirror. Pilgrims are allowed three hours of peaceful napping in these pods, which get sterilized between nappers, thanks to a generous Saudi charity. All a part of Saudi Arabia's plan to modernize the hajj experience, stacking pilgrims vertically or horizontally – quite literally.
Source => theguardian.com