God (called Allah in Arabic) has honored it in His Holy Book (Quran), in which it is given eleven different names, including: Makkah, Bakkah, Al-Balad Al-Amin, Al-Balad Al-Ameen, Al-Haram Al-Amain and Um-Al-Qura. God also refers to Makkah in several verses of the Holy Quran (also Koran) using other names, and has sworn on its name, thus giving a unique status unrivalled by any other city in the world.

It was also the will of God that the Holy Ka'ba be situated in Makkah. This divine will has affected the building and growth of the city as it is today.

The first Sura of the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on the outskirts of Makkah. These revelations to the Prophet continued later, and some verses of the Holy Quran are known as Makki, because they were revealed in Makkah, while others were called Madani because they were revealed in Madinah.

It was in and around Makkah that the early Moslems launched their "Jihad" (Holy Struggle) against polytheism, heresy and idolarty. It was here that God gave victory to His Prophet and his fellow-believers when they triumphantly entered Makkah in the 8th year after Hijra (630 AD), ending the state of polytheism and exalting the name of Allah, the one and only God. The idols were destroyed, God's House was purified and Makkah became a secure and sacred city. Moslems all over the world turn their faces in prayer five times ad day towards the Ka'ba in Makkah and begin and end their pilgrimage with a "tawaf" (circumambulation) of it.

The tale of the building of Makkah, the Holy Mosque and the Ka'ba is well-known, as are the events which took place in the city following the era of Abraham and Ishmael. We will therefore begin our description of Makkah with the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. When the future of the Holy City was a paramount consideration.

LOCATION:

Makkah is at the intersection of latitude 21 to 25 degree north and longitude 39 to 49 degree east. It is set in a rugged landscape consisting mostly of solid granite, with rocks sometimes reaching 300 meters (1,000 feet) above see level.

Makkah is enclosed by the Valley of Abraham, which is surrounded by two nearby mountain ranges to the east, west and south. The northern range comprises the Al-Falaq and Qu'aqi'an mountains, while the southern range consists of Abu Hudaidah mountain to the west, Kuday to the south and Abu Qubais and Khindimah to the south-east.

There are three main entrances to Makkah: Al-Mu'allat (also known as Al-Hujoon), Al-Musfalah and Al-Shubaikah.

It is generally agreed that Al-Mu'allat includes all areas which are higher than the Holy Haram and Al-Musfalah covers all areas that are lowers.

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