A report on Masjid al-Haram and Destruction of early Islamic heritage sites in Saudi Arabia

Aerial view of the Great Mosque of Mecca
Jannatul Baqi graveyard in Medina, Saudi Arabia
The Kaaba
Imam Zain al-Abidin desecrated grave at Al-Baqi' in Saudi Arabia
The Black Stone
Maqam Ibrahim's crystal dome
Mount Marwah within the mosque
Mount Safa
The well of Zamzam located beneath the floor (entrance now covered)

In Saudi Arabia, many of the demolitions have officially been part of the continued expansion of the Masjid al-Haram at Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina and their auxiliary service facilities in order to accommodate the ever-increasing number of Muslims performing the pilgrimage (hajj).

- Destruction of early Islamic heritage sites in Saudi Arabia

During this renovation many of the historical features built by the Ottomans, particularly the support columns, were demolished.

- Masjid al-Haram
Aerial view of the Great Mosque of Mecca

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Mecca

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City and administrative center of the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, and the holiest city in Islam.

City and administrative center of the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, and the holiest city in Islam.

Panorama of Mecca, 1845, from the Khalili Collection of Hajj and the Arts of Pilgrimage
The area surrounding the Haram Shareef.
The Hajj involves pilgrims visiting Al-Haram Mosque, but mainly camping and spending time in the plains of Mina and Arafah
Jabal al-Nour, the mountain atop which is the Hira cave, where it is believed Muhammad received his first revelation.
The Quran Gate
Mecca as seen from the International Space Station
The al-'Aziziyah district of Mecca
Kaaba in July 2021, during COVID-19 restrictions.
Al-Haram Mosque and the Kaaba
Kaaba during expansion in 2013
Hajj terminal
Entry Gate of Mecca on Highway 40
Mecca Metro Route Map
Mecca, {{circa}} 1718 CE
Mecca, c. 1778 CE
Mecca, in the 1880s
Mecca in 1910
Pilgrims surround the Ka'bah in 1910
Makkah Al Mukarramah Library (21.425°N, 39.83°W) is believed to stand on the spot where Muhammad was born, so it is also known as Bayt al-Mawlid

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.

The Saudi government has also carried out the destruction of several historical structures and archaeological sites, such as the Ajyad Fortress.

Abraj Al Bait Towers

Abraj Al Bait

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Government-owned complex of seven skyscraper hotels in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Government-owned complex of seven skyscraper hotels in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Abraj Al Bait Towers
Abraj Al Bait Towers
Abraj Al-Bait compared with other tallest buildings in Asia.
Abraj al Bait Tower from Haram Piaza
Clock Face on a sunny day
Abraj al Bait Tower from Haram Courtyard
Clock Tower in early morning
Clock Tower in the evening
Clock Tower as seen from Mount Marwa
Abraj al Bait from another angle
Clock Tower as seen from Haram King Abdullah Expansion
Clock Tower reaching the sky
Clock Tower at dawn

The building complex is metres away from the world's largest mosque and Islam's most sacred site, the Great Mosque of Mecca.

The destruction of the historically significant site in 2002 by the Saudi government sparked an outcry and a strong reaction from Turkey.

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi during the Ottoman Era, 19th century

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi

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Mosque built by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the city of Medina in the Al Madinah Province of Saudi Arabia.

Mosque built by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the city of Medina in the Al Madinah Province of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi during the Ottoman Era, 19th century
The Green Dome, in Richard Francis Burton's Pilgrimage, ca. 1850 CE
View of Masjid-e-Nabawi Gate 21, 22 as seen from the north, the gate with two minarets is Bāb Al-Malik Fahd (بَاب الْمَلِك فَهْد)
The Green Dome was given its signature green color in 1837.
The rawdhah ash-sharifah is mostly crowded with worshippers and movement is restricted by policemen at all times.
The old Mihrab constructed by Prophet Muhammad. The mihrab was remodeled several times over the centuries and is currently set in marble.
The minbar commissioned by Sultan Murad III is still in use at the mosque today
An illustration of the Mosque, 18th century

It was the second mosque built by Muhammad in Medina, after Quba Mosque, and is the second largest mosque and second holiest site in Islam, both titles ranking after the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.

When Saud bin Abdul-Aziz took Medina in 1805, his followers, the Wahhabis, demolished nearly every tomb and dome in Medina in order to prevent their veneration, except the Green Dome.