| − | [[Image:Mecca.jpg|thumb|Mecca at night]] '''Mecca''', also Makkah, located in [[Saudi Arabia]], is the holiest city in [[Islam]]. The city is considered the official birthplace of the Islamic Prophet [[Mohammed]]. All able-bodied [[Muslim|Muslims]] who can afford to go are required to make a pilgrimage--called the [[Hajj]]--to Mecca at least once in their life. During a Hajj, vast camps of pilgrims spring up, and huge crowds of people from all over the world complete a series of tasks required of all pilgrims. After completion of these rites, the participant can claim the honorary title "Haji" before their name, signifying they have made the pilgrimage. | + | [[Image:Mecca.jpg|thumb|Mecca at night]] '''Mecca''', also Makkah, located in [[Saudi Arabia]], is the holiest city in [[Islam]]. The city is considered the official birthplace of the Islamic Prophet [[Mohammed]]. All able-bodied [[Muslim]]s who can afford to go are required to make a pilgrimage—called the [[Hajj]]—to Mecca at least once in their life. During a Hajj, vast camps of pilgrims spring up, and huge crowds of people from all over the world complete a series of tasks required of all pilgrims. After completion of these rites, the participant can claim the honorary title "Haji" before their name, signifying they have made the pilgrimage. |