The Holy City of Makkah, which lies inland 73 kilometers east of Jeddah, was the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, the place where God's message was first revealed to him and the city to which he returned after the migration to Madinah in 622 AD.

Makkah is the holiest city on earth to Muslims. Five times each day, the world's one billion Muslims, wherever they may be, turn to the Holy City of Makkah to pray.