Jeddah Municipality, Saudi Arabia

Jeddah, is a governorate and the largest city in Mecca Province, Saudi Arabia, and the country's second largest city after Riyadh, located along the Red Sea coast in the Hejaz region. Jeddah is the commercial center of the country. It is not known when Jeddah was founded, but Jeddah's prominence grew in 647 when the Caliph Uthman made it a travel hub serving Muslim travelers going to the holy city of Mecca for Islamic pilgrimage. Since those times, Jeddah has served as the gateway for millions of pilgrims who have arrived in Saudi Arabia, traditionally by sea and recently by air.

With a population of about 3,751,722 people as of 2022, Jeddah is the largest city in Mecca Province, the largest city in Hejaz, the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia (after the capital Riyadh), and the ninth-largest in the Middle East. It also serves as the administrative centre of the OIC. Jeddah Islamic Port, on the Red Sea, is the thirty-sixth largest seaport in the world and the second-largest and second-busiest seaport in the Middle East (after Dubai's Port of JebelAli).

Jeddah is the principal gateway to Mecca Sharif, the holiest city in Islam, 65 kilometers (40 mi) to the east, while Medina, the second-holiest city, is 360 kilometers (220 mi) to the north. Economically, Jeddah is focusing on further developing capital investment in scientific and engineering leadership within Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Jeddah was ranked fourth in the Africa, MiddIe East and 'stan countries region in the Innovation Cities Index in 2009.

Jeddah is one of Saudi Arabia's primary resort cities and was named a Beta world city by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network (GaWC). Given the city's close proximity to the Red Sea, fishing and seafood dominate the food culture unlike other parts of the country. In Arabic, the city motto is "Jeddah Ghair", which translates to "Jeddah is different".

Original Source : http://www.instagram.com/thesaudigate/  Foto : Sabudi & thesaudigate

The Corniche Commercial Center in Jeddah

Nestled in the heart of Jeddah's historic district, Corniche Commercial Center stands as a vibrant testament to the city’s rich cultural heritage and bustling commercial scene. This beloved shopping hub, one of Jeddah’s earliest commercial centers, seamlessly blends traditional charm with modern shopping experiences, making it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists. With its diverse array of enticing stores, Corniche Commercial Center boasts an impressive selection of beauty and fashion products, including a delightful assortment of perfumes, cosmetics, and trendy accessories. The center is particularly noted for its affordable perfume shops, offering exquisite scents at economical prices. Enhancing its appeal, the center features a variety of ethnic restaurants, inviting visitors to indulge in delightful culinary experiences that reflect the region's rich cultural tapestry. The adjoining waterfront area presents scenic views and recreational opportunities, with a long promenade along the Red Sea coast perfect for walking and cycling. Families can enjoy numerous parks, playgrounds, and seating areas, fostering a welcoming atmosphere for relaxation and leisure. Despite some areas needing renovation and concerns regarding parking fees, the vibrant ambiance and friendly shop owners create an inviting environment. Corniche Commercial Center remains a highlight of Jeddah, offering a unique blend of shopping, dining, and cultural exploration that captures the essence of the city’s spirit.

Source : https://corniche-commercial-center.wheree.com/  Foto : Sabudi

The Red Sea, Jeddah

Within an eight-hour flight of roughly 80 percent of the planet’s population is an archipelago of pristine beaches, dormant volcanos, sweeping desert dunes, mountain canyons, historical cultural sites and 90 pristine islands dotting the Red Sea. These largely untouched gems, collectively known as The Red Sea, a destination, surrounded by the world's fourth-largest barrier reef system.  

The area, covering more than 28,000 square kilometers, will soon be open to tourism in an exciting — and environmentally responsible — new way. Consider it sustainability 2.0: The Red Sea destination aims to have a positive impact on the environment, society, and the economy. This means that about 75 percent of the islands will remain untouched, and nine will be designated as special conservation zones. Furthermore, single-use plastics will be banned, an on-site nursery will provide more than 25 million plants, and the entire destination will operate with zero waste to the landfill and zero carbon footprint. Visitation to The Red Sea destination will be capped at one million per year to ensure environmental enhancement targets are met, to push beyond conservation and explore innovative ways to regenerate the natural ecosystem.   

In addition to its commitment to the planet, The Red Sea destination is committed to its guests, offering unprecedented accessibility, not to mention world-class dining, adventure, and entertainment. Prepare to explore the unimaginable.

Original Source : https://www.visitsaudi.com/  

Foto : Sabudi & https://web.facebook.com/life.in.saudiarabia/

Hassan Enany Mosque, Jeddah

One of the most beautiful architectural wonders in the city, the Hassan Enany Mosque is an attraction point right at the corner of the Middle Corniche Park, next to the famous Jeddah fountain.

Inspired by the Byzantine Empire, minarets were taken from the church towers concept. The height allows for the call to prayer to reach further distances. The basic structure of a minaret includes a base, shaft and gallery, and also acts as a visual focal point for worshippers to see.

The dome in the Enany Mosque is not very circular, making the four vaults connected to make the dome more obvious. Furthermore, the outside of the dome is made of small golden tiles, another recurring concept in Islamic architecture.

Usually adorned with Qur’anic verses, calligraphy is a beautiful way to represent the words of Allah and act as a reminder to all those who enter the mosque. There are a bunch of calligraphic methods, but the one used in the Enany Mosque is the thuluth script.

Sources : https://instagram.com/masjids_around_world_

Foto : Sabudi & https://instagram.com/masjids_around_world_

The Jabal Rahmah of Mecca

Mount Arafat (Jabal ar-Raḥmah, 'Mountain of Mercy') is a granodiorite hill about 20 km (12 miles) southeast of Mecca, in the province of the same name in Saudi Arabia. It is approximately 70 m (230 ft) in height, with its highest point sitting at an elevation of 454 metres (1,490 ft).

The Prophet Muhammad, before becoming a Prophet, would break the tradition of his tribe, the Quraysh, by standing at Arafat with the other Arabs, much to the shock of his fellow Qurayshite Jubair bin Mut'im who highlighted that he was a part of the Hums and questioning what business he had there.

According to Islamic traditions, the hill is the place where the Islamic prophet Muhamamd stood and delivered the Farewell Sermon (Khuṭbat al-Wadāʿ) to his companions (Ṣaḥābah) who had accompanied him for the Hajj towards the end of his life. Some Muslims also believe that Mount Arafat is the place where Adam and Eve reunited on Earth after falling from Heaven, believing the mountain to be the place where they were forgiven, hence giving it the name Jabal ar-Raḥmah, meaning 'Mountain of Mercy'. A pillar is erected on top of the mountain to show where this event is believed to have taken place.

The mountain is especially important during the Hajj, with the 9th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, also known as the Day of Arafah after the mountain itself, being the day when Hajj pilgrims leave Mina for Arafat; this day is considered to be the most important day of the Hajj. The khutbah (sermon) is delivered and zuhr and asr prayers are prayed together in the valley. The pilgrims spend the whole day on the mountain invoking Allah to forgive their sins.

Original Sources : https://en.wikipedia.org/  Foto : Sabudi & BPKH RI

The Jamarat in Mecca

The Stoning of the Devil is part of the annual Islamic Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. During the ritual, Muslim pilgrims throw pebbles at three walls (formerly pillars), called jamarāt, in the city of Mina just east of Mecca. It is a symbolic reenactment of Ibrahim's  (or Abraham's) hajj, where he stoned three pillars representing the Shaitan (or Satan), and Muslims' temptation to disobey the will of Allah.

On Eid al-Adha (the 10th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah), pilgrims must strike the Big Jamarah or Al-Jamrah Al-Aqaba with seven pebbles. After the stoning is completed on the day of Eid, every pilgrim must cut or shave their hair. On each of the following two days, they must hit all three walls with seven pebbles each, going in order from east to west. Thus at least 21 pebbles are needed for the ritual; more stones would be needed if they failed to hit the pillar. It is permissible for the stones to fall into the designated areas of the pillars, and there is no need to throw them again if they land in the appropriate vicinity.

Some pilgrims stay at Mina for an additional day, in which case they must again stone each wall seven times. The pebbles used in the stoning are traditionally gathered at Muzdalifah, a plain southeast of Mina, on the night before the first throwing, but can also be collected at Mina.

Until 2004, the three jamarāt (singular: jamrah) were tall pillars. After the 2004 Hajj, Saudi authorities replaced the pillars with 26-metre-long (85 ft) walls for safety; many people were accidentally throwing pebbles at people on the other side. To allow easier access to the jamarāt, a single-tiered pedestrian bridge called the Jamaraat Bridge was built around them, allowing pilgrims to throw stones from either ground level or from the bridge.

The jamarāt are named (starting from the east):

1.       The first jamrah (al-jamrah al-'ūlā), or the smallest jamrah (الجمرة الصغرى al-jamrah aṣ-ṣughrā),

2.       The middle jamrah (الجمرة الوسطى al-jamrah al-wusṭā),

3.       The largest jamrah (الجمرة الكبرى al-jamrah al-kubrā), or Jamrah of Aqaba (جمرة العقبة jamrat al-ʿaqaba).

Before 2004, the distance between the small and middle jamarāt was 135 m (443 ft); between the middle and large jamarāt it was 225 m (738 ft).

Source : https://en.wikipedia.org, 

Foto Sabudi & https://www.inilah.com

The Mosque of Al Ji’rana / Ji’ronah (Miqot Point) in Mecca

Masjid al-Ji'ranah is a mosque that marks the location where the Prophet entered Ihram after returning from the Battle of Hunayn. It is one of the designated Miqat points for individuals residing within the area of the Haram who intend to perform Hajj or Umrah. 

Source : Hajjumrahplanner.com

The Aisha Mosque / Tan’im (Miqot Point) in Mecca

The Masjid Al-Taneem  is a mosque in the area of Al-Hil, approximately 8.0 kilometres (5 miles) from the Kaaba, in the neighbourhood of At-Tan'im in Makkah, western Saudi Arabia.

It is a boundary of the Haram, therefore pilgrims of Hajj and ʿUmrah can put on Ihram. This mosque is also known as Masjid Aishah since Aisha bint Abu Bakr, wife of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, had put on her Ihram from this place once.

This was allowed by the prophet as a special case when Aisha could not complete her umra on account of being in an impure state due to menstrual
period. Aisha's brother who accompanied her to Taneem and back did not perform another umra along with his sister, understanding that it was a special allowance made for Aisha or any woman who happens to become impure, due to her menstrual period. Nowadays It is the nearest and most convenient location to enter into Ihram for those residing within the boundaries of the Haram. The Aisha Mosque is quite big, with facilities for baths, ablution and changing, available for pilgrims and those who come to offer regular prayers.

Source : https://en.wikipedia.org, Foto : Sabudi & https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masjid_Al-Taneem

The Qarnul-Manazil Mosque (Miqot Point) in Mecca

As-Sayl Al-Kabīr  is a village in Makkah Region, western Saudi Arabia, which is located some distance from the city of Taiff. Abdullah ibn Abbas narrated that his cousin, the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, had fixed Qarn al-Manāzil as the miqat for the people of Najd. It has also been used as a miqat by people coming from places like Oman, the U.A.E and Pakistan.

https://en.wikipedia.org, Foto : KBIHU Al Wahid Rezki Barokah Tarakan

The Clock Towers in Mecca

The Clock Towers  is a government-owned complex of seven skyscraper hotels in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. These towers are part of the King Abdulaziz Endowment Project that aims to modernize the city in catering to its pilgrims. The central hotel tower, which is the Mecca Clock Royal Tower, is the fourth-tallest building and sixth-tallest freestanding structure in the world. According to Guinness World Records, the Makkah Tower is the tallest clock tower in the world, and the complex of seven buildings comprise the world's second most expensive building. The clock faces are the largest in the world, and the top four floors of the clock tower house the Clock Tower Museum.

The building complex is 300 metres away from the world's largest mosque and Islam's most sacred site, the Great Mosque of Mecca. The developer and contractor of the complex is the Saudi Binladin Group, the Kingdom's largest construction company. The total cost of construction totaled US$15 billion. The complex was built after the demolition of the Ajyad Fortress, the 18th-century Ottoman citadel on top of a hill overlooking the Grand Mosque. The destruction of the historycally significant site in 2002 by the Saudi government sparked an outcry and a strong reaction from Turkey.

Source : https://en.wikipedia, Foto : KBIHU Al Wahid Rezki Barokah Tarakan & https://en.wikipedia

Mecca al-Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia

 

Mecca, officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, is the capital of Mecca Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia; it is the holiest city in Islam. It is 70 km (43 mi) inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea, in a narrow valley 277 m (909 ft) above sea level. Its metropolitan population in 2022 was 2.4 million, making it the third-most populated city in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh and Jeddah. Around 44.5% of the population are Saudi citizens and around 55.5% are Muslim foreigners from other countries. Pilgrims more than triple the population number every year during the hajj pilgrimage, observed in the twelfth Hijri month of Dhul-Hijjah. With over 10.8 million international visitors in 2023, Mecca was one of the ten most visited cities in the world.

Mecca is located in the Hejaz region, a 200 km (124 mi) wide strip of mountains separating the Nafud desert from the Red Sea. The city is situated in a valley with the same name around 70 km (44 mi) east of the port city of Jeddah. Mecca is one of the lowest cities in elevation in the Hejaz region, located at an elevation of 277 m (909 ft) above sea level at 21º23' north latitude and 39º51' east longitude. Mecca is divided into 34 districts.

The city centers on the al-Haram area, which contains the Masjid al-Haram. The area around the mosque is the old city and contains the most famous district of Mecca, Ajyad. The main street that runs to al-Haram is the Ibrahim al-Khalil Street, named after Ibrahim. Traditional, historical homes built of local rock, two to three stories long are still present within the city's central area, within view of modern hotels and shopping complexes. The total area of modern Mecca is over 1,200 km² (460 sq mi).

Mecca is generally considered "the fountainhead and cradle of Islam". Mecca is revered in Islam as the birthplace of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The Hira cave atop the Jabal al-Nur ("Mountain of Light"), just outside the city, is where Muslims believe the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad.  Visiting Mecca for the Ḥajj is an obligation upon all able Muslims. The Great Mosque of Mecca, known as the Masjid al-Haram, is home to the Ka'bah, believed by Muslims to have been built by Abraham and Ishmael. It is Islam's holiest site and the direction of prayer (qibla) for all Muslims worldwide.

Original Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecca, Foto : Sabudi & www.kompas.id

Ta'if City in Mecca Province

Taif is a city and governorate in Mecca Province in Saudi Arabia. Located at an elevation of 1,879 m (6,165 ft) in the slopes of the Hijaz Mountains, which themselves are part of the Sarat Mountains, the city has a population of 563,282 people in 2022, making it one of the most populous cities in the kingdom.

There is a belief that Taif is indirectly referred to in Quran 43:31. The city was visited by the Islamic prophet Muhammad, sometime in the early 7th century, and was inhabited by the tribe of Banu Thaqif. It is still inhabited to this day by their descendants. As a part of the Hejaz, the city has seen many transfers-of-power throughout its history, with the last being during the Saudi conquest of Hejaz in 1925.

The city has been called the unofficial summer capital of Saudi Arabia and has also been called the best summer destination in Saudi Arabia as it enjoys a moderate weather during summer, unlike most of the Arabian Peninsula. The city owes its popularity among tourists to its many mountain resorts and moderate climate, even during the harsh summers of Arabia. The city is connected to the nearby resort town of Al-Hada via the iconic Highway 15 (Taif – Al-Hada Road). It stands out from the rest of the Hijazi region as it is a city that plays an active role in the agricultural output of Saudi Arabia and is the center of an agricultural area known for its cultivation of grapes, pomegranate, figs, roses and honey. Taif is also very active in the manufacturing of traditional attar, and is known locally as "City of the Roses".

Sources : https://en.wikipedia.org, Foto : Sabudi

The Taif Cable Cars, Ta'if, Saudi Arabia

The Taif Cable Cars, also known as Telefric Al Hada, are found at the Al Hada Cable Car Resort. It is located on the first ring road in Taif. The route of the cable car begins from the highest Jabal al Hada from the Ramada Al Hada Hotel and leads down through the old pedestrian road towards al Kar, a tourist village which is situated at the bottom of the Karakoram Mountain Range. These two sites make up the upper and lower

stations of the Taif Cable Cars. This offers a nice ride up and down the hill in the cable car, with spectacular views of the village and mountain. Other activities which are part of this resort include tourist games and facilities at the lower cable car station in the village of al Kar. These include facilities such as restaurants, shops, and other public facilities and also games and activities such as paintball, car racing circuits, laser misses, water games, and summer ski games.

Taif University in Ta’if, Saudi Arabia

Taif University is located in Al Hawiyah, Ta'if, Saudi Arabia. It was established in 2004. The university is one of three created by TU. The university is a member of the Association of Arab Universities and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields of study. Taif University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including arts, science, engineering, business, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and law. The university has a total of 16 faculties, which include the College of Science, the College of Engineering, the College of Medicine, the College of Dentistry, and the College of Pharmacy.

 Source : https://en.wikipedia, Foto : Sabudi

The Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia

The Prophet's Mosque is the second mosque built by the Islamic Prophet Muhammad in Medina, after the Quba Mosque, as well as
the second largest mosque and holiest site in Islam, after the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, in the Saudi region of the Hejaz.  The mosque is located at the heart of Medina, and is a major site of pilgrimage that falls under the purview of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Muhammad himself was involved in the construction of the mosque. At the time, the mosque's land belonged to two young orphans, Sahl and Suhayl, and when they learned that Muhammad wished to acquire their land to erect a mosque, they went to Muhammad and offered the land to him as a gift; Muhammad insisted on paying a price for the land because they were orphaned children. The price agreed upon was paid by Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, who thus became the endower or donor of the mosque, on behalf or in favor of Muhammad. al-Ansari also accommodated Muhammad upon his arrival at Medina in 622.

Originally an open-air building, the mosque served as a community center, a court of law, and a religious school. It contained a raised platform or pulpit (minbar) for the people who taught the Quran and for Muhammad to give the Friday sermon (khutbah). Subsequent Islamic rulers greatly expanded and decorated the mosque, naming its walls, doors and minarets after themselves and their forefathers. After an expansion during the reign of the Umayyad caliph al-Walid I (r. 705–715), it now incorporates the final resting place of Muhammad and the first two Rashidun caliphs Abu Bakr (r. 632–634) and Umar (r. 634–644). One of the most notable features of the site is the Green Dome in the south-east corner of the mosque, originally Aisha's house, where the tomb of Muhammad is located. Many pilgrims who perform the Hajj also go to Medina to visit the Green Dome.

Original Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecca, Foto : Sabudi &  https://haramainbd.com/15-important-places-inside-masjid-nabawi/

The Jabal Uhud of Medina

Mount Uhud is a mountain north of Medina, in the Hejazi region of Saudi Arabia. It is 1,077 m (3,533 ft) high and 7.5 km (4.7 miles) long. It was the site of the second battle between the Islamic Prophet Muhammad and the polytheist of his tribe of Quraysh. The Battle of Uhud was fought on 19 March, 625 CE, between a force from the small Muslim community of Medina and a force from Mecca, in north-western Arabia.

The battle was fought on March 19, 625 CE (3 Shawwal 3 AH in the Islamic Calendar) at the valley located in front of Mount Uhud, in what is now northwestern Arabia. It occurred between a force from the Muslim community of Medina led by Muhammad and a force led by Abu Sufyan ibn Harb from Mecca, the town from which many of the Muslims had previously emigrated. The Battle of Uḥud was the second military encounter between the Meccans and the Muslims, preceded by the Battle of Badr in 624, where a small Muslim army had defeated the much larger Meccan army.

Marching out from Mecca towards Medina on March 11, 625, the Meccans desired to avenge their losses at Badr and strike back at Muhammad and his followers. The Muslims readied for war soon afterward and the two armies fought on the slopes and plains of Mount ‘Uḥud.

Whilst heavily outnumbered, the Muslims gained the early initiative and forced the Meccan lines back, thus leaving much of the Meccan camp unprotected. When the battle looked to be only one step far from a decisive Muslim victory, a serious mistake was committed by a part of the Muslim army, which shifted the outcome of the battle. A breach of Muhammad's orders by the Muslim archers, who left their assigned posts to despoil the Meccan camp thinking the war ended, allowed a surprise attack from the Meccan cavalry, led by Meccan war veteran Khalid ibn al-Walid, which brought chaos to the Muslim ranks. Many Muslims were killed, including Hamza ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, Muhammad's uncle and foster brother. Muhammad himself got injured. The Muslims had to withdraw up the slopes of ‘Uḥud. The Meccans did not pursue the Muslims further, but marched back to Mecca declaring victory. The two armies would meet again in 627 at the Battle of Trench.

 
Source : https:id.wikipedia.org, Foto Sabudi & https://id.wikipedia.org/