The Mosque - Islamic History

# The Mosque The mosque is the place of worshipping Allah. It is from here that the call of prayer is broadcasted across the world. The most important mosque in the world is the Holy Mosque in Makkah, seconded by the Mosque in the Holy City of Madinah. ## The Holy Mosque Below is a picture of the...

# The Mosque The mosque is the place of worshipping Allah. It is from here that the call of prayer is broadcasted across the world. The most important mosque in the world is the Holy Mosque in Makkah, seconded by the Mosque in the Holy City of Madinah. ## The Holy Mosque Below is a picture of the Holy Mosque in Makkah, the Birth City of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). Wherever you go, you find mosques and Islamic schools. In Britain, for example, there is a big mosque in the middle of London that can accommodate more than 5,000 worshippers. ## Al-Ka'aba Al-Ka'aba is the first house built on earth for the worshipping of Allah. It is a box-shaped building. It is built of grey stone and stands on a marble base. Al-Ka'aba is covered with a black curtain (Al-Kiswah). Al-Kiswah is covered with silver and gold writing. It is replaced once a year. The door of Al-Ka'aba is made of gold. Near the door, there is the sacred black stone. It is a stone from the first mosque built by Prophet Ibraheem. All Muslims must face Al-Ka'aba during prayers time. The pilgrims must also circle Al-Ka'aba to perform Al-Hajj. # The Holy Mosque at Madinah Before the first Saudi expansion, the total area of the Holy Mosque at Madinah was 10.300m² and there was room for 17,000 worshipers. There were five minarets. There were no escalators, and no air-conditioning. The Prophet's Mosque in Madinah contain the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and is therefore one of Islam's most sacred shrines. Now, the total area has grown to 400m² and there is room for 650,000 worshippers. The number of minarets has increased to ten. There are now four escalators and eighteen fixed staircases. In addition, a 25,000-ton central air-conditioning station has been built. # The Holy Mosque at Makkah In 1409 AH King Fahd laid the foundation stone for a new addition to the Holy Mosque at Makkah. Now, a large annex has been built onto the western side of the Holy Mosque. It consists of a basement, ground floor and first floor. Two new minarets have been built. A large plaza has been created. Escalators have been built to help the elderly pilgrims to move. Loud speakers, TV studio, telephones and clocks have been fixed. The ground floor and the first floor are ventilated from windows and doors. The expansion of the Holy Mosque is a great work. The pilgrims can pray easily and without problems. It can accommodate one million pilgrims at the time of Hajj.