Earlier this year, the global population increased to a stunning seven billion people. These seven billion people are made up of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus and so on having faith in a higher power or an ultimate peace to help them understand life and why we exist. In times of happiness and in times of trouble, we look to the teachings of these religions to help us live a fruitful life.
Each religion has tenets by which its followers must live by and there is a place somewhere in the world where they consider the holiest. For the followers of Islam, the city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia is the holiest city in the world for it is home to Masjid Al-Haram which houses the Kaaba. There are also five pillars of Islam which are considered to be obligatory actions to any Muslim of which one is to make a pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in one’s lifetime.
Makkah is the birthplace of Prophet Mohamed, the messenger of the one and only God, Allah, and is home to the Kaaba which is considered to be the most sacred ground in the Islamic religion. The Kaaba, believed to have been built by Abraham and Isaemal (his son) over 2000 years ago, is a black building shaped like a cube and is known to be the House of God. It is located within the Grand Mosque known in Islamic as Masjid Al Haram. Worldwide, Muslims turn to the direction of the Grand Mosque to offer their prayers and affirming their belief that there is no other God other than Allah.
As a Muslim, one of the five pillars requires you to make the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah if one is capable of doing so. In addition, minor pilgrimages called Umrah can be made throughout the year. When travelling, it is best to opt for comfortable and convenient accommodation at a Makkah hotel as this will add to the quality of one’s pilgrimage. Of all the Makkah hotels that are available, the Raffles Makkah Palace deserves mention for it is conveniently located only a few steps from the Grand Mosque. With its 211 suites offering a marvellous view of the Mosque and the Kaaba, staying at the Raffles Makkah Palace will undoubtedly enhance one’s Hajj pilgrimage.
