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Pilgrim at the Sacred Mosque looking towards The Kaaba

For other places with the same name, see Mecca (disambiguation).

Mecca or Makkah (in full:(مكة المكرمة Makkah al-Mukarramah), located in western Saudi Arabia, is the holiest city in Islam. As such it is forbidden for Non-Muslims to enter the city.

[edit] Understand

A pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Hajj, is one of the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and one of the ten Branches of Religion in Shi'a Islam, and thus obligatory for all Muslims with the physical and financial ability to make it. Over three million Muslims visit the city during the month of Dhu'l-Hijjah yearly. Visits outside this month are known as minor pilgrimages or Umrah, and while not compulsory are strongly encouraged.

[edit] Get in

WARNING: Non-Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering the holy city of Mecca. The penalty is deportation from the country. Documentation will be checked upon entry and anyone not showing proof of being Muslim will be denied entry. As a solitary exception, the Mecca bus terminal (outside city limits) is open to all.

The government of Saudi Arabia issues special visas for those making the pilgrimage. Most pilgrims opt to use a specialist travel agency, which will handle the considerable paperwork for them, but detailed information on the strict requirements is available at the Ministry of Hajj [1]. As usual in Saudi Arabia, women must travel together with a male guardian (Mahram), unless they are over 45, travelling with a group and have their guardian's signed consent.

Visas are assigned to countries on a quota basis according to the number of Muslims they have. Recently, those who have previously been to Mecca have had additional restrictions placed on their entry, in an effort to discourage overcrowding while still accommodating those who have not yet made the pilgrimage. If the applicant was not born a Muslim, they must present a certificate testifying so, which has been notarized by an Islamic center. Usually your mosque will be able to arrange this or at least point the way.

[edit] By plane

Jeddah is the gateway to Mecca. The Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport (IATA: JED), used only for the Hajj, is served mostly by charter flights, although there are also some scheduled services as well. During Umrah, scheduled services use the airport's other terminals.

[edit] By car

There is an excellent modern multi-lane highway from Jeddah. During the Hajj pilgrimage season it is jammed with buses full of pilgrims. At any other time, traffic is extremely light for the size of the road.

A few miles outside Mecca, there is a cutoff referred to as the "Christian bypass". Turn along this highway to drive another 50 miles out of the way to reach the lovely mountain town of Taif. Taif, at 5000 feet elevation, was the former summer palace of the Saudi Kings. If you remain on the main highway, there is a police checkpoint just after the exit, where non-Muslims are kept out of the holy city.

[edit] By bus

SAPTCO runs services to Mecca from throughout the country, although most pilgrims arrive on privately chartered buses from Jeddah. There are two terminals: the main terminal outside city limits is open to all, but the city center terminal at the Haram al Sharif, used mainly by buses to Jeddah, is restricted to Muslims only.

[edit] Get around

Local buses, taxis, and micro-buses are widely available in Mecca and are inexpensive. There are no train stations or any metros in Mecca.

[edit][add listing] See

Most visitors to Mecca follow the set itinerary of the Hajj. Major sites include:

• Sacred Mosque (al-Masjid al-Haram). The holiest site in Mecca and Islam. This mosque is built around Kaaba.
• Kaaba. At the center of the sacred mosque is this building, said to have been built by Prophet Abraham himself and his son,Prophet Ishmael. Covered in black cloth, it is circled seven times by Muslim pilgrims.
• Mina. The site of the symbolic stoning of the Devil.
• Hill of Arafat. The site of Prophet Muhammad's last sermon.
• Jabal Al Noor (lit. The Mountain of Light). While its not part of the Hajj ritual this is still an important site; since atop this mountain is the famous Her'aa grotto, where Muslims believe Muhammed first had the Quran revealed to him.
• Jabal Al Sur.
• Ja'aronah.
• Tanaem.
• Hudaibiyah.
• Muzdalifah The desert where the pilgrims spend the night.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Hike the Mountains of Mecca

• Visit Ghar Hira,where the first verse of the Quran was revealed to the last of the prophets,Prophet Mohammed.

• Pray and Read Quran at the Kaaba.

• Shopping in the city is widely available. Bargaining is always an option when shopping locally.

• Visit Mina and the site of Stoning the devil.

• Learn. Mecca has a variety of schools and universities

[edit][add listing] Buy

While in Mekkah many pilgrims purchase trinkets to remember their time, and souvenirs to bring back to family and friends. Zamzam water is available free which is consumed in Mekkah and brought home as a souvenir.

Other items to by in and around Mekkah are: Prayer mats and hats, prayer beads and perfume.

[edit][add listing] Eat

There are many types of food from all over the world available in Mecca, from the Middle Eastern Arab food to Southeast Asian food. There are also American fast food chains such as Kentucky Fried Chicken and Dunkin Donuts. No type of pork, ham or any part of the pig is served in Saudi Arabia as forbidden by Islamic Law.

===Budget=== You will have to pay for your trip before you go, so talk to your Islamic travel agent about the number of stars you want. My friend and I specified two star hotels and they were fine, more than fine really. The five star hotels across the plaza from the Grand Mosque, Abdul Aziz gate, are full of western shops on the ground floor and should be avoided. [Who in the blazes wants to go to Mecca and eat at Burger King?]. A ten minute walk will refresh and allow you to see more of the people in their environment.

[edit] Mid-range

[edit] Splurge

[edit][add listing] Drink

Alcohol is illegal in Saudi Arabia. All intoxicants are forbidden by the Qur'an and therefor under Islamic Law which Saudi Arabia follows alcohol is not permitted.

Zamzam Water- holy water from the Zamzam spring in Masjid al Haram believed to be divinely blessed is preferred among pilgrims to Mekkah.

There are many tea shops that serve tea and cookies. Also many juice vendors right outside the Mosque that sell Apple, Mango and Strawberry Juice for 1 SAR.

• hajjabdullah, 527 california ave, Reno, NV, ☎ 7753294999. Drink lots of fluids as it is always hot in Mecca, however, do not be surprised if you don't need to find a rest room right away. You will sweat out most of the fluids thru your skin, or out of your lungs. I did not need a restroom, which are located outside the Grand Mosque and down a couple of flights of stairs, until the second day. I learned some Arabic on my own before I arrived, and needed every word as almost no one speaks English, at least outside the hotels. "Wha-hide Mee Kabir, min fud luck", ie. One large water, if you please. Mecca is truly a holy place and people will help you if you just open up and let them. Not easy for westerners to do, but if you are in Mecca you have taken Islam to heart, so just let it flow, and you will have a wonderful time that you will never forget.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Mecca is full of hotels, from the Hilton to unknown hotels with various facilities. The price varies according to the hotel's distance from the Holy Mosque. Some of the world's greatest hotels are situated in Mecca, and are full year-round. Make sure to book early, as soon as you know your dates of travel.

• Dar Al Tawhid Makkah (The Inter-Continental), Ibrahim Al Khalis St (Just Outside of Mecca), ☎ +966-2-541-1111, [2]. Luxury right outside The Holly City. The hotel is beatiful with views of Mecca. Staff speaks Arabic, English, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Punjabi.  edit
• Inter-Continental Mekkah, Old Jebbah Rd, ☎ +966-2-560-1000, [3]. The height of luxury inside the city walls.  edit
• Hotel Elaf Al Huda, Al Din Makkah Al Mukaramah Saudi Araiba. Simple rooms with air-conditioning only 15 min walk from haran. They also provide a shuttle to haran. starting at $105.  edit
• Makkah Hilton and Towers - Right outside the Haram. The main hotel is priced high with prices sky rocketting ( 4 to 5 times) during Ramadaan). The Hilton towers (6 towers attached to the main hotel) are a cheaper option. Hotel is definitely the better constructed and maintained, with a signature Hilton B'fast. The entire complex is built on a Shopping Complex, with a decent food court - thus making it an effective place to stay. However don't expect too much from the staff!!!

[edit] Contact

[edit] Stay safe

Despite strict crowd control measures, overcrowding and stampedes are major hazards during the month of the Hajj, killing tens of people. Mina, Jamrat and the bridges leading to them are known to be particularly dangerous, although steps have been taken to alleviate this: there are now four parallel bridges and the route is now unidirectional.

During the Hajj crowds pickpockets are not uncommon. Avoid having any valuables on your person when traversing through the crowds. In other words, be on the safe side and don't take chances.

[edit] Cope

[edit] Get out

Most pilgrims also visit Medina, Islam's second holiest city.