Saudi Arabia: Medina – Prophet’s Mosque
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi aka the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina is the second holiest place in Islam, the second mosque built by Mohammad in Medina, and also the second largest mosque in the world. The mosque was built by Mohammad in 622 CE when he arrived here from Mecca. It was expanded both territorially and architecturally pretty much under every empire and kingdom that controlled the lands every since, now counting 10 minarets, 27 sliding domes with one old green dome, huge rectangular spot in the heart of Medina with a space to accommodate a staggering 2 million worshipers at a time! The central areas of the mosque are Mihrab constructed by Mohammad, Rawdah ash-Sharifah (Noble Garden), and Green Dome. The latter is the burial place of Mohammad with four tombs – Mohammad and his two father-in-laws and an empty grave reserved for Isa aka Jesus. Originally there were only 4 minarets, but the latest number of 10 came after the 1994 reconstruction, now rising to 104 m (341 ft) high. The 27 domes have sliding roofs allowing daylight during the day. The whole mosque is flooded with lights at night and shaded with expandable umbrellas at sunlight. The Prophet’s Mosque is also featured on the 100-riyal Saudi banknote.
