Mecca
The city of Mecca, or Makkah, is located in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia, about 70 km (44 mi) from the Red Sea coast. Along with Medina, Mecca is one of the two most important holy cities in Islam and one of the most visited cities in the world, mainly because of its pilgrimage sites. It is revered as the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. However, non-Muslims are not allowed to enter Mecca.
Sacred Mosque and Abraj Al Bait
The Sacred Mosque, or al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, is the largest mosque in the world. It is located in Mecca near The Clock Towers, also known as the Abraj Al Bait. At 601 meters (1,972 ft), the central hotel tower of the high-rise complex is the fourth highest building in the world.
Kaaba
The Kaaba is a cube-shaped building in the courtyard of the Sacred Mosque and the most sacred site in Islam. It is also called Bayt Allah (House of God) and, according to tradition, should be visited once in a lifetime by every Muslim who is able to do so as part of the Hajj (pilgrimage). As the highlight of this important event, the Kaaba is circled seven times. Especially during Ramadan and the Hajj, several million believers travel to Mecca every year for the ritual. In addition, Muslims from all over the world always direct their prayers towards the Kaaba, which was already a holy site during Muhammad's lifetime. According to tradition, the Prophet helped to rebuild the Kaaba after it was severely damaged.
Facts
- Official name: Makkah al-Mukarramah (or Makkah for short)
- Other names: The Holy Capital, Mother of all Settlements
- Location: Mecca Province, Hejaz region, western Saudi Arabia
- Area: 1,200 km2 (500 sq mi)
- Population: 4.2 million (2022 estimate)
- Major sites: The Sacred Mosque with the Kaaba, The Clock Towers, Cave of Hira, Mount Arafat
Kaaba Folding Card
This unique souvenir note from the Middle East Series is dedicated to Saudi Arabia's most important religious site. It is printed on genuine banknote paper and has several modern security features such as a gold foil patch in the shape of a map of the Middle Eastern countries. The obverse is designed vertically and depicts the Kaaba in the Sacred Mosque and the Clock Tower in Mecca. The reverse shows a mosque and a falcon, the traditional heraldic animal of several Arab states.
Obverse: Kaaba in the courtyard of the Sacred Mosque and The Clock Towers "Abraj Al Bait" in Mecca, map of the Middle Eastern countries, map of Saudi Arabia
Reverse: Mosque, falcon, ornaments
| Dimensions: 145 x 70 mm (5.71 x 2.76 in) Material: Paper |
