The number of Muslims visiting the grand mosque at Makkah has continued to grow by leaps and bounds over the hundreds and thousands of years it has been in existence. To accommodate the many who visit Makkah every year, we see that the various ruling regimes have expanded the mosque’s perimiters in all directions as well. Such expansion has been the focus of extensive planning. For example, per saudiembassy.net a few years ago the escalators installed in the mosque were designed to carry approximately 15,000 people in our hour to the roof of the mosque. Such expansion has occurred at a very high expense. Some government estimates put the dollar figures spent in one decade around $20 Billion. That expense has increased the area within the mosque to around 5 million sq. feet.
If you visit Makkah these days, you will notice numerous high rises built or still being built. The following pictures were taken from one of the high rises and reflects the enormous capacity of the grand mosque at Makkah.
If you have visited Makkah and have pictures that you would like to share with IqraSense.com, please email them to us (with ownership and copyright details) to admin at iqrasense.com.
===> Click on these pictures to see the larger version
I hope that Allah gives all Muslims the opportunity to visit the Muslim holy places, and bless those who have done these great efforts to ease muslims visit to all holly places in Saudi Arabia
Annual pilgrimage to Makkah the Hajj – is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially able to perform it. Nevertheless, about two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe providing a unique opportunity for those of different nations to meet one another.
Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj begins in the twelfth month of the Islamic year (which is lunar, not solar, so that Hajj and Ramadan fall sometimes in summer, sometimes in winter). Pilgrims wear special clothes: simple garments which strip away distinctions of class and culture, so that all stand equal before God.
• The rites of the Hajj, which were begun by Prophet Abraham, include circling the Ka’bah seven times, and going seven times between the mountains Safaa and Marwah as Hager did during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together on the wide plain of ‘Arafah and join in prayers for God’s forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Last Judgement.
• In previous centuries the Hajj was an arduous undertaking. Today, however, water, modern transport, and the most up-to-date health facilities are provided for the millions who take part in the pilgrimage.
• The close of the Hajj is marked bya festival, ‘Eed al-Ad-haa, which is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This, and the ‘Eedal-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the Muslims’ calendar.
if you wish to come to UMRA or HAJJ – The very first step is NIYYATH –
You must tell yourself that I am ready and will go to Umra or Hajj the year _______ H or ________G – Insha Allah ……
Remember, you will be honest and you have THAQWA and you must continuously pray to the Allah, Almighty to full fill your wishes for this subject.
Allah, the Almighty will sure help you. And you can perform Umra & Hajj easily. (This is not just an imagination, but experienced in my case as well as for those whom I advised)
TRY IT NOW…. You will success – Bi-Idnillah.
(Note: As everyone knows that rntries are permitted in the Two Holy Mosques for Muslims only)
Compiled by : ibn Koyakutty
since the pilgrims are now redy to leave to go for Hajj. I wish all the best to all Pilgrims who are taking this holy journey for the sake of Allah! May Allah Bless them all and make their Journey a great success in this world n hereafter.