Makkah's
Neighboring Cities
www.bakkah.net
In the
Name of Allaah, the All-Merciful, may His complete Salaah
and Salaam be upon His final Messenger, and upon all
his family, Companions, and followers up to the Day of Judgement,
to proceed...
The
city of Makkah has a number of cities within easy traveling
distance (four hours driving or less). Let's take a look at
some of these cities:
Jeddah
One
of the Kingdom's most modern cities, if not the most modern,
Jeddah is only about a 40-minute drive from Makkah. Jeddah's
residents and visitors can throw a rug on the beach and watch
the waves of the beautiful Red Sea smash into the huge rocks
bordering the shore lines, or they can find a calmer spot where
they can dip their feet in, swim, or snorkle, wondering at the
coral reef's fantastic underwater life. More secluded sections
of the beach are found in the south, where a family can privately
picnic, swim, or throw rocks into the Red Sea. Jeddah hosts
'Abdul-'Azeez International Airport, and a number of Western
businesses and restaurants. Almost anything you are used to
from the West can be found here.
At-Taa'if
Only
an hour from Makkah, At-Taa'if is a beautiful town set high
in the mountains, with a lot of parks and greenery that make
for an excellent quick get-away spot for a family picnic or
outing. Many Makkans retreat to At-Taai'f to get away from Makkah's
intense summer heat.
Al-Madeenah
A little
more than three hours away from Makkah is Al-Madeenah, the City
of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam). Upon
entering the city, one notices the difference between the people
of Al-Madeenah and Makkah. The Madanees are extremely hospitable,
a trait that Allaah allowed them to keep since the time of their
ancestors from the Ansaar. Prayer in the Prophet's Masjid (sallallaahu
'alayhe wa sallam) earns a reward 1000 times greater than
in other masjids (except in Makkah). The weather is also much
cooler than Makkah, you find many of the air conditioners in
Al-Madeenah have a "heat" option for those semi-chilly
winter nights.
Al-Baahah
Less
than four hours away from Makkah, this quiet southern town in
the mountains hosts a number of cattle farms and camping grounds.
When driving to Al-Baahah, the road from At-Taa'if leads you
to the foot of the huge mountain on which the town is found.
You can look up and see Al-Baahah far above you, yet the windy
road that climbs the mountains will take about an hour to ascend,
and what a beautiful view it is! You might feel suprisingly
cold winds and see families of monkeys or mountain goats as
you wind and twist your way up the mountains. Those afraid of
heights will want to take the less scenic road to Al-Baahah.
Like At-Taa'if, it is much cooler than Makkah in Al-Baahah,
they even get snow sometimes in the winter time!
