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The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque works on implementing the procedures approved by the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center to enhance energy efficiency and conserve energy consumption in the Grand Mosque through several measures, including: Converting all lighting units installed throughout the Grand Mosque to LED type. Providing sensors and detectors to turn off lights in facilities devoid of employees. Working towards achieving the highest lev...
Al-Kaaba's Kiswa is the piece of cloth that covers al-Kaaba al-Musharrafah. It is woven with silk, gold, and silver threads on an annual basis. This tradition dates back to the construction of al-Kaaba until the era of the Founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, who regulated the affairs of the Kiswa and ordered the establishment of a factory for manufacturing al-Kaaba al-Musharrafah's Kiswa in Makkah al-Mukarramah. In 1927, the factory was e...
In previous centuries, the dimensions of al-Kaaba al-Musharrafa were a topic of disagreement among historians, as they lacked a standardized measuring at the time. Units included hand cubits and iron cubits, which led to measurements being inaccurate. It was eventually measured in meters in the modern era, with the results as follows: It measures 9.90 m from the Levantine Corner to the Western Corner. It measures 12.04 m from the Yamani Corner to the Western Corner. It measures 10.18 m from the...
Selected tools and materials were used in the construction of the Two Holy Mosques, with specifications suitable for the climatic conditions in the Kingdom. Among these materials is Thassos marble, which is used in the courtyards and surfaces of the Two Holy Mosques. This Greek white natural marble is specially imported for the Two Holy Mosques. What distinguishes this marble is its ability not to absorb heat during the day, no matter how intense it gets. It also has the feature of absorbing mo...
The minarets of the Grand Mosque are tall towers that rise above the roofs of the Grand Mosque from all sides. They announce the times of prayers through their loudspeakers. There are thirteen minarets, all of which are similar in their external design. Parts of the Grand Mosque minarets Each minaret of the Grand Mosque is divided into five sections: the base, the first balcony, the minaret shaft, the second balcony, and the pinnacle. These sections are clearly visible to the observer in their ...
The Call to Prayer in the Grand Mosque refers to the adhan or call to prayer in the Grand Mosque of Makkah al-Mukarramah. The adhan is heralded by muezzins , who announce the call to prayer, perform iqamah (announce the beginning of prayer), re-echo imams , and raise the call for funeral prayers, 1 2 as well for prayers of Tarawih and Tahajjud (night prayer), al-Istisqa (Rain) Prayer, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers, and Khusuf and Kusuf (lunar and solar eclipse) prayer. 3 4 5 Muezzins of t...
Maqam Ibrahim is an ancient stone on which the Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him (PBUH), stood while building al-Kaaba al-Musharrafa, raising its walls. It is a landmark of the Grand Mosque, situated on the eastern side of al-Kaaba al-Musharrafa, facing the door and the Multazam . Pilgrims pass by the sides of the Maqam Ibrahim as they circumambulate the Kaaba al-Musharrafa, and they perform the two Rak'ahs of Tawaf behind the maqam, in compliance with a verse from the Quran: 'Take f...
Safa and Marwa are two small hills located on the eastern side of the Grand Mosque. Hajj and Umrah pilgrims walk back and forth between them seven times. This act of walking, known as Saee , is one of the integral rites of both Hajj and Umrah, which are both considered incomplete without. Safa marks the starting point of the Saee, while Marwa marks its conclusion in the seventh cycle. Design of Safa and Marwa The designated path for the movement of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims between Safa and Marwa...
The Third Saudi Expansion of the Grand Mosque is the latest expansion of the Grand Mosque and the largest in terms of area and capacity throughout history. The expansion began during the reign of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2011. Its works were completed and inaugurated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in 2015. Its work continues to this day. Additions of the Third Saudi Expansion of the Grand Mosque Four minarets were added during the expa...
The Second Saudi Expansion of the Grand Mosque is the second increase in the area and structure of the Grand Mosque during the Saudi era. It was directed by King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the western side of the Grand Mosque. The foundation stone was laid in 1988, and the expansion began in the area known as the Small Market, which extended between King Abdulaziz Gate and Umrah Gate. The project components consisted of a ground floor, an upper floor, and a basement. Elements of the Second S...
The Black Stone is a sacred stone for Muslims. It was sent down from heaven and placed in the southeastern corner of al-Kaaba al-Musharrafa in ancient times, adjacent to the Yamani corner on the eastern side of al-Kaaba. It marks the beginning and end of the Tawaf (circumambulation). It comprises eight fragments from its surface, assembled together in different shapes and encased by a silver frame, appearing in an oval shape. The claim is that there are fifteen pieces in total, with the remaini...
The Grand Mosque is the mosque that houses al-Kaaba al-Musharrafa, the Qibla for Muslims. It is the holiest site on earth for them, as they orient themselves towards it and face it during prayer, regardless of where they are. It derives its name, Masjid al-Haram , from the prohibition of combat within its grounds. Located in Makkah al-Mukarramah, it is directly overseen by the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque. It is the oldest mosque in the wo...
