MAKKAH — Makkah and the surrounding holy places are home to historical mosques that have played great roles in the history of Islam. Some of them still maintain their original architecture, while others have been refurbished at different times in their history. Al-Taneem, located some seven kilometers from the Grand Mosque in Makkah, is where the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Ayesha Bint Abu Bakr, started her Umrah in the year 29 AH. It is also where pilgrims coming to Makkah who missed a meeqat point (where pilgrims make the intention and don the white ihram cloth for Haj or Umrah) could make a new start for either pilgrimage. Covering a total area of 84,000 square meters, a SR100 million refurbishment was carried out at the mosque during the era of the late King Fahd. In the eastern parts of Makkah, Al-Juranah Mosque, located 24 kilometers away, is the spot for Makkah residents to start Haj and putting on the ihram. Al-Juranah is also the site where the Prophet (pbuh) gave away the gains Muslims captured from their enemy at the Battle of Hunain. Al-Baiaa (allegiance) Mosque is located in the eastern part of Makkah. It still retains its historical architecture and is believed to be built during the era of Caliph Abu Jaafar Al-Mansour in the year 144 AH. At the mosque, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) concluded an allegiance pledge with 12 leaders of the two great Arabian tribes, Al-Aws and Al-Khazraj, who came from Madinah. Al-Jinn mosque is about 2 km meters north of the Grand Mosque. It is where a group of jinn offered a pledge of allegiance to the Prophet (pbuh). It is also called Al-Haras (guard) mosque, which was refurbished in 1421 AH. Heading toward Jeddah from Makkah along the old expressway, one can find Al-Hudaybiyah Mosque, now called Al-Shumaysi, 24 km from the Haram. The old mosque, built of black stone and mud, is still standing. However, a new one was built adjacent to it. Al-Khaif Mosque in Mina valley is near where pilgrims start the climb to Arafat, the peak moment of Haj. This is where the Prophet (pbuh) performed the dawn prayer while ascending Arafat. The mosque was refurbished at a cost of SR90 million in 1407 AH. Al-Mashair Al-Haram Mosque in Muzdalifah, where pilgrims stay the night after coming back from Arafat, was expanded and rebuilt during the Saudi era at a cost of SR5 million. Namirah Mosque, at the edge of Arafat, was built at the place where the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) performed Dhuhr and Asr prayers combined and addressed Muslims before entering the valley during the Farewell Pilgrimage. One of the most modernized ancient mosques, Namirah mosque was expanded and rebuilt during the Saudi era on an area of 110,000 square meters. For several years now, the noon and late afternoon prayer are transmitted from Namirah mosque live to the world every year on the Day of Arafat. — SG/SPA
