Madina is another city that’s actually not part of the pilgrimage sequence; but muslim usually visited it because it’s another holy city where our prophet spend most of his life. This is also another city where non muslim are not allowed to enter. As far as I know, there are only 2 cities with that characteristic – but non muslim can enter any other city in middle east.
The atmosphere is somehow way more “in place” in Madina. The air is fresher. Somehow it’s more comforting and not as hectic as Mecca. In this city, lies the 2nd holiest mosque for muslim – Nabawi Mosque. The original Mosque was built by Muhammad, next to the house where he settled after his journey to Medina in 622 AD. The original size was only 30x35 meters, built with palm trunks and mud walls. Now the mosque is lavishly decorated with polychrome marble and stones. Currently the size is 98,000 m2 and can take up to 167,000 people inside the mosque. If considering the vast prayer field surrounding the mosque, then the capacity can hold up to 1 million people!
And luckily, our hotel at that time stands exactly across the mosque! I think my room got the best view. Directly towards it – so kept taking pictures at night. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.
If a regular city has central business district around most big companies offices or something – in Madina or Mecca (where the main activity is related to religious activity), the mosque surrounding usually becomes the “cbd”. In terms of there are a lot of shops, malls, etc.
Another interesting part of this mosque is the little domes in the ceiling can be open automatically. And usually the management opens it around 12 – 1 pm. The dome size is 18x18 meters, weight 80 tons. Inside they also have 647 large crystal lamps made from brass and then smirred with gold. As this is in the middle of a desert, they have centralized air con with very well hidden holes . I couldn’t see it at first. In the rooftop and courtyard, they have giant electronic umbrella-like canopies that can be folded. Usually it’s being opened during the Friday prayer (see in my pictures).
The most notable feature of the Nabawi Mosque is the green "Dome of the Prophet", which rises higher amongst the sea of white domes. This is where the tomb of Muhammad is located. All pilgrims attempt to visit and pray in ar-Rawdah, for there is a tradition that supplications and prayers uttered here are never rejected. Entrance into ar-Rawdah is not always possible (especially during the Hajj season), as the tiny area can accommodate only a few hundred people. So you literally have to queue for like 1-2 hours and can only enter in batches. And of course along the way, while praying you has to take care of yourself not to be trampled and accidentally crushed by other (consider it such a small space with very large crowd).
Sorry I don’t have picture on the inside part of the mosque – cause again, this is actually NOT a touristy place :D
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