Around 440 kilometers (275 miles) to the North, is Islam's second most important city. It was here that the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and his followers migrate from Makkah in the face of persecution in 622 AD. This date of this migration, known as the Hijrah, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
Al-Madinah witnessed the wake of the first government in the history of Islam and the second of the two Holy Mosques. That is why the Saudi government concerned with the development and expansion of this holy city in order to receive millions of Muslims who visit it every year.
Expansion of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the Prophet Holy Mosque is the greatest in the History of this mosque. Total area of expansion is 82,000 m², so that the built area can accommodates about 167,000 persons in an area of 98,000m². The Roof's area is 67,000m² where it can accommodates up to 90,000 persons. This makes the total area of the Holy Mosque about 156,000m² which can take up to 257,000 persons. The roof is covered with marble tiles.
Development of the Holy Mosque also included construction of the surrounding yards where the ground is covered with marble and granite tiles. The area of the surrounding ground is 135,000m² in which its capacity is for 25,000 persons.
Important Landmarks
Quba Mosque
Quba Mosque is the first mosque to be built in the history of Islam. It is located in the southwestern area of Al-Madinah. When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated to Al-Madianah, Muslims received him and they all moved till they reached the house of one of the Muslims at Quba area. Later on, a mosque was built on this place, with the participation of the Prophet (PBUH) himself in works of construction.
King Fahad Holy Quran Printing Complex
This complex , which is specializing in printing and audio recording of Holy Quran, was inaugurated by King Fahad in 1985. The complex is the gift of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to all Muslims in the world, and one of the biggest printing presses in the world.
The complex is a complete city with its utilities and services, constructed on an area of 250,000m² with cost of one billion Saudi Riyals which equals about 270 million US Dollars.
In addition to the printing of the Holy Quran "Mosshaf Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah", the complex plays an important role in publication of the Holy Quran Sciences, translation of Quran to other languages, books of Sunnah and Seera (biography) of the Prophet (PBUH). The complex also produces audiotapes of Holy Quran recital in voices of famous Quran recites in the Islamic world.