 | This article may be expanded with text translated from the [[:ar:Template:Wikidata sitelink|corresponding article]] in العربية. (January 2023) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
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| The Sacred Mosque of Mecca | |
|---|---|
al-Masjid al-Ḥarām المسجد الحرام | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Leadership | Abd ar-Raḥman as-Sudais (as President of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques and Chief Imam) |
| Location | |
| Location | Mecca City, Mecca Province, Saudi Arabia[1] |
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| Administration | General Presidency of Haramain |
| Coordinates | 21°25′21″N 39°49′34″E / 21.42250°N 39.82611°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque |
| Established | 638 AD |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 3.0 million[2] |
| Minaret | 13 |
Minaret height | 139 m (456 ft) |
| Site area | 356,000 square metres (88 acres)[3] |
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Masjid al-Haram, also referred to as the Sacred Mosque[4] or the Great Mosque of Mecca,[5], constitutes a mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and holds the distinction of being the holiest and most significant mosque in Islam.[6][7] The mosque encompasses the area surrounding the Kaaba in Mecca, located in the country's western region. It forms an integral part of the Hajj pilgrimage sites, which every Muslim is required to perform at least once in their lifetime, provided they are physically capable. Additionally, it serves as the principal location for the performance of Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage that can be undertaken throughout the year. The rituals of both pilgrimages involve circumambulating the Kaaba within the mosque premises.
The Great Mosque incorporates several other important religious sites, including the Black Stone, the Zamzam Well, Maqam Ibrahim, and the hills of Safa and Marwa.[8]
As of 2026,[update] the Great Mosque holds the distinction of being both the largest mosque and the most expensive building globally. The structure has undergone substantial renovations and expansions throughout its history.[9] It has been under the governance of various caliphs, sultans, and monarchs over the centuries, and presently operates under the authority of the King of Saudi Arabia, who holds the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.[10]
Pilgrimage[edit | edit source]
The Great Mosque serves as the principal setting for both the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages,[11] with Hajj occurring during the month of Dhu al-Hijja in the Islamic calendar, while Umrah can be undertaken at any time throughout the year. The Hajj pilgrimage represents one of the fundamental Pillars of Islam, mandated for all able-bodied Muslims who possess the financial means to undertake the journey. In contemporary times, over 50 lakh Muslims participate in the Hajj pilgrimage annually.[12]
List of notable Imams[edit | edit source]
- Abd ar-Rahman as-Sudais, appointed Imam and Khatib in 1984.[13] (Chief Imam and President of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques)
- Salih bin Abdullah al Humaid, appointed Imam and Khatib in 1982. Former Chairman of Majlis Ash-Shura (Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia)
- Usama bin Abdullah Khayyat, appointed Imam and Khatib in 1998.
- Maher al-Mu'aiqly, appointed Imam in 2007, and Khatib in 2016.
- Abdullah Awad Al Juhany, appointed Imam in 2007 and Khatib in 2019.
- Bandar Baleela, appointed Imam in 2013, and Khatib in 2019.[14]
- Yasser Al-Dosari, appointed Imam in 2019 and Khatib in 2022.
- Saud Al-Shuraim, appointed Imam in 1991, and retired in 2022.
Notes and References[edit | edit source]
Notes[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Location of Masjid al-Haram". Google Maps. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ↑ "AL HARAM". makkah-madinah.accor.com.
- ↑ Daye, Ali (21 March 2018). "Grand Mosque Expansion Highlights Growth of Saudi Arabian Tourism Industry (6 mins)". Cornell Real Estate Review. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
- ↑ "The Night Journey". Quran.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2025. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
- ↑ "Great Mosque of Mecca | History, Expansion, & Facts". Encyclopedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ↑ Ravindran, K. (5 January 2023). Holy Lands of Abrahamic Religions: A Brief History and Pilgrimage. Notion Press. ISBN 979-8-88869-631-6.
- ↑ Illustrated Dictionary of the Muslim World. Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC. 15 January 2011. ISBN 978-0-7614-9966-4.
- ↑ Quran 3:97 (Translated by Yusuf Ali)
- ↑ "Mecca crane collapse: Saudi inquiry into Grand Mosque disaster". BBC News. 12 September 2015. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ↑ "Is Saudi Arabia Ready for Moderate Islam? – Latest Gulf News". fairobserver.com. 3 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
- ↑ Mohammed, Mamdouh N. (1996). Hajj to Umrah: From A to Z. Mamdouh Mohammed. ISBN 0-915957-54-X.
- ↑ General statistics of the Umrah season of 1436 A.H. until 24:00 hours, 28/09/1436 A.H. Total Number of the Mu`tamirs: 5,715,051 "General statistics of the Umrah season of 1436 A.H." The Ministry of Hajj, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Archived from the original on 13 August 2015.
- ↑ "List of 10 Imams of Masjid al Haram | Who is the Current Imam? |". 28 April 2022.
- ↑ "Who's Who: Sheikh Bandar Baleelah, imam at the Grand Mosque in Makkah". Arab News. 19 July 2021. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.