Makkah, Saudi-Arabia – Culture, History, Pictures and Things to do

Makkah is the holiest city for all Muslims. In this city is the sacred and noblest mosque called the Haram Al-Shareef. Within the haram is the cube shaped ‘Kaaba’, which is the house of God (Allah). All Muslims worldwide face the Kaaba to offer their daily five prayers.

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The inside of the Haram Mosque in Makkah
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The cubed shaped Kaaba in Makkah
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One of the many gates of the haram mosque in Makkah
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A view of the Kaaba with devout Muslims circling in a ritual called ‘tawaf’
the golden colors of the inside of Makkah mosque
the golden colors of the inside of Makkah mosque
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The the inside of Makkah mosque with worshipers engaged in prayers

 

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Riyadh, Saudi-Arabia – History, Culture, Pictures, and Things to do

Riyadh is not only Saudi-Arabia’s largest and capital city, it is also the largest city of the Middle East and Gulf countries. One can find plenty of history, culture, and other things to do in this large city. Below are some of the sites that you can visit while you are in Riyadh.

The Annual Janadriyah Cultural Festival

The Annual Janadriyah Cultural Festival of Saudi-Arabia
The Annual Janadriyah Cultural Festival of Saudi-Arabia

Get more details on the Janadriyah Festival here

Riyadh Skyline

Kingdom tower
With many tall buildings, Riyadh has a very impressive skyline
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Riyadh’s Impressive Skyline
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Riyadh Skyline
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Riyadh Skyline

King Khaled Building

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Unique architecture of King Khaled Building – Built in the early 1980s

Riyadh’s Old Water Tower

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Riyadh’s Old Water Tower built in the 1960s
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Riyadh’s Old Water Tower

Riyadh TV Tower

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Riyadh TV Tower built in the 1980s

Kingdom Tower

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Kingdom Tower was built in the 1990s and is the second largest tower in the Middle East after Burj Al-Khalifa

King Abdullah Financial District

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King Abdullah Financial District

Edge of the World

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Edge of the World – Located in the outskirts of Riyadh in the middle of the desert

 

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Hofuf, Saudi-Arabia – Culture, History, Pictures, and Sightseeing

Hofuf is a key city of the Al-Ahsa region in Saudi-Arabia and is home to multiple sightseeing sites for visitors.

Al-Gara (Qara) Mountains

Al-Gara mountains are one of the primary attractions of Hifuf
Al-Gara mountains are one of the primary attractions of Hofuf

Learn more about Al-Gara Mountains here

Oasis of Hofuf

Oasis in Hafuf
Oasis in Hafuf are one of the largest in the world.

Learn more about Oasis in Hafuf here

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Related Reading

Hofuf Oasis, Al-Ahsa – Pictures, Sightseeing, and History

The oasis in Hofuf are considered one of the largest in the world. With many square miles of Palm tress, the city provides multiple things to do for a new visitor. Here are some of the pictures to give you a sense of the oasis in Hofuf.

Aerial view of the oasis in Hofuf, Saudi-Arabia
Aerial view of the oasis in Hofuf, Saudi-Arabia
Aerial view of the oasis in Hofuf, Saudi-Arabia
Another Aerial view of the oasis in Hofuf, Saudi-Arabia
Palm trees in the Oasis of Hofuf
Palm trees in the Oasis of Hofuf
Sughtseeing in the Oasis of Hofuf
Sughtseeing in the Oasis of Hofuf

 

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Kalash Valley in Pakistan – Culture and Lifestyle

Kalash valley is situated in the Chitral region of Northern Pakistan. The valley is surrounded by the Hindukush mountain ranges. The valley is named after the Kalash people who have a unique culture and lifestyle and follow a form of Hindu region. This, therefore is one of the few pockets of non-Muslims living in a largely Muslim Pakistan.

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Kalash Valley, Pakistan

The three smaller valleys of the Kalash valley are Bumburet, Ayun, and Rumbur valleys. The Bumburet valley is the largest of the three.

Chitral and Kalash Valley on Map of Northern Pakistan
Chitral and Kalash Valley on Map of Northern Pakistan

Kalash valley experiences extreme cold and snowy conditions in the winter time and is difficult to access during winter months. The pictures below shed some light on the cultures and lifestyles of the Kalash people and the areas where they live.

A view of Kalash Valley and the mountains near Chitral Pakistan
A view of Kalash Valley and the mountains near Chitral Pakistan

Culture and Traditions of the Kalash People

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Handmade Embroidery work in Kalash Valley, Pakistan
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Girls Colorful Dresses in Kalash Valley, Pakistan

Chowmos Festival

Chowmos Festival is a dance festival celbrated in the month of December in the Kalash Valley. Due to the difficulty of getting to the valley in winter months, not many external visitors are known to attend this festival.

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Chowmos Festival and Dance in Kalash Region, Pakistan
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Chowmos Festival and Dance in Kalash Region, Pakistan

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Morocco, Moroccan Cities, and Places to See

Morocco is a country in North Africa that has one of the very rich cultures in the world. The landscapes of the country is equally beautiful. The rich culture, history, architecture, and scenery of this Muslim country provide you many things to do. Below are some of the major cities and locations that one can visit in Morocco. Each of these cities in turn has many more sightseeing opportunities to see and explore.

Volubilis, Morocco

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One of the old buildings in Volubilis, Morocco
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Ancient ruins of Volubilis, Morocco
Things to do and see in Morocco - Sightseeing and Vacation
Things to do and see in Morocco – Sightseeing and Vacation

The Sahara Desert

Things to do and see in Morocco - Sightseeing and Vacation
Sand Dunes of the Sahara Desert
Things to do and see in Morocco - Sightseeing and Vacation
The beauty of sand dunes of the Sahara
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Sahara desert in Morocco
Desert landscape of the Sahara, Morocco Sightseeing
Desert landscape of the Sahara, Morocco

Casablanca

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One of the streets in Casablanca, Morocco
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Traditional old style streets in Casablanca
Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca Morocco
Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
Another view of Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca

Moroccan Markets

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Spices shop and market in Morocco
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A vegetable and fruit market souq of Morocco
A vegetable and fruit market souq of Morocco
A vegetable and fruit market souq of Morocco

City of Fez

City Court, Fez, Morocco
City Court, Fez, Morocco
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Making of leather in the city of Fez, Morocco

Old Architectures

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Old architecture and buildings of Morocco
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An old home from the early twentieth century

A Culture of Entertainment

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Snake charmer entertainment in Morocco

City of Essaouira

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A scene from the city of Essaouira. Boats on a coast
Things to do and see in Morocco - Sightseeing and Vacation
Things to do and see in Morocco – Sightseeing and Vacation

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Menara Palace, Marrakech

Menara Palace, Marrakech Morocco
Menara Palace, Marrakech
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Jemaa El-Fna, Marrakech Morocco

Chefchaouen, The Blue City in Morocco

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Chefchaouen, The Blue City in Morocco

Asilah. Morocco

Things to do and see in Morocco - Sightseeing and Vacation
Things to do and see in Morocco – Sightseeing and Vacation

 

Islam in Seattle, USA – Muslims, Mosques, and Businesses

Muslims have been in settled in Seattle, USA for many decades. Over the past few years, the number of Muslims in Seattle have skyrocketed. A significant percentage of Muslims in the city and surrounding areas can be attributed to the large companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing who employ a large number of Muslims. As a result, many supporting businesses have also sprung up to support the overall community.

Although there are no official numbers but the number of Muslims in and around the Seattle area is estimated to be more than 100,000.

A number of Islamic centers have been founded and built in and around Seattle over the past few years. Some of these are the following:

Islamic House (U-District),
4625 21st Pl NE, Seattle, WA 98105

Downtown Muslim Association of Seattle (Seattle)
Prayer room inside of Plymouth Congregational Church
1217 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Idris Mosque (Northgate)
1420 NE Northgate Way, Seattle, WA 98125

Masjid Umar al-Farooq (Mountlake Terrace)
5507 238th Street SW, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043

Dar al-Arqam (Lynnwood)
6210 188th St. SW, Lynnwood, WA

Everett Muslim Community Center (Everett)
500 SE Everett Mall Way Suite #B-110, Everett, WA 98208

Islamic Community Center of Shoreline (Shoreline) (Bosnian)
20001 25th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155, USA

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Gathering at Idriss mosque
Seattle Night Skyline - Islam in Seattle
Seattle Night Skyline
Seattle Skyline - Islam in Seattle
Seattle Skyline
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Idriss Mosque Community Activities
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Islamic markets for Muslims in Seattle
Islam in Seattle Washington USA
Abu Bakr Islamic Center in Seattle Washington USA
Islam in Seattle Washington USA
Abu Bakr Islamic Center in Seattle Washington USA Friday Prayer Khutbah
Islam in Seattle Washington USA
Islam in Seattle Washington USA – Eid Lecture and Celebration Abu Bakr Mosque

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Related Reading

Biryani Cuisine from India Pakistan

 

Al-Gara Mountains in Hofuf, Al-Ahsa Saudi-Arabia

Al-Gara Mountain in Hofuf, Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia is located in the eastern province of Saudi-Arabia in the region of Al-Ahsa. It is one of the key natural landmarks in the country. If you are looking for things to do in Saudi-Arabia, then visiting Al-Gara mountains site should be on your list.

Al-Gara Mountain is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. As tourism to the kingdom is still not as open to those travelling from abroad, most of these tourists are locals or locally based expats.

The Al-Gara Mountain site provides a view of many rocks and caves and alleys between the rocks. Tourists can walk around the Al-Gara Mountain site and explore those caves, alleys, and other natural aspects of the site.

Below are some of the pictures from the Al-Gara mountain site in Hofuf, Al-Ahsa.

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Al-Gara Mountains Visitor Center. Hofuf Saudi-Arabia.
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Entering Al-Gara Mountain area near Hofuf
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Hofuf Al-Ahsa Saudi-Arabia Culture
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Hofuf Al-Ahsa Saudi-Arabia Culture
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Al-Gara Mountains Hofuf Saudi-Arabia
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Al-Gara Mountains Hofuf Saudi-Arabia
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Al-Gara Mountains Hofuf in Al-Ahsa Province
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Alleys through the rocks of Al-Gara Mountains Hofuf in Al-Ahsa Province
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Beautiful rocks
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View from the top of Al-Gara Mountain Saudi-Arabia
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View from the top of Al-Gara Mountain Saudi-Arabia
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View at the top of Al-Gara Mountain Saudi-Arabia
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Cultural artifacts of Hofuf, Saudi-Arabia (Eastern Province)

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Jerash in North Jordan – Culture, History and Things to See

Jerash (also known as Gerasa) is a very ancient city of Jordan located in the north of Jordan about 50 kiometers noth of the City of Amman. It is the second most popular toured city in Jordan after Petra.

The city dates back to the bronze age with traces dating to around 3500 B.C. Jerash is known to have been founded by Alexander the Great. The remains that one notices in the city are from the Roman period when the Romans built various temples and fortresses in the area. Jerash is known to bring together cultures of the Roman era as well as from the Middle East.

The city started to see a Muslim influence during the times of the Ayyubid, Mamluk Sultanate, and the Ottomans.

Some of the remains in Jerash city include the following that can be included in the list of things to do when visiting the city:

  • Numerous Corinthium columns
  • Hadrian’s Arch – Built to honor the visit of Emperor Hadrian to Gerasa.
  • The circus/hippodrome
  • Temples of Zeus and Artemis.
  • The Oval Forum
  • The long colonnaded street or cardo
  • The large South Theatre and smaller North Theatre.
  • Two communal baths
  • A number of scattered small temples
  • A large Nymphaeum fed by an aqueduct
  • An almost complete circuit of city walls
  • A water powered saw mill that was used for cutting stone and rocks
  • Two large bridges across the nearby river.

Other things to do in Jerash, Jordan include the popular Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts. It is one of the largest cultural festivals of the region and is usually held in the month July. When planning a trip in the summer to Jordan, it would be wise to make it coincide with this festival to make the trip quit worthwhile. More information on the festival and its dates can be found here.

The following are some of the pictures related to the city.

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The North Theater – Jerash, Jordan
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Fertile areas of Jerash, Jordan
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Overlooking the Jersah city in Jordan
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Overview of Jerash city and the outskirts
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Panoramic view of Jerash city
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Panoramic view of the columns of ancient Jerash city
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The Oval Forum, Jerash
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The Arch of Hadrian in Jerash, Jordan.
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The Oval Forum
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Panoramic view of the columns of Jerash
Tourists in Jersah Jordan
Tourists in Jersah Jordan around the columns of the ancient city

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Read about Muslim Communities in Seattle

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Ajloun and the Ajloun Castle in Jordan and Related History

History and Background of Ajloun, Jordan

Ajloun is a city in Jordan that is located approximately 80 kilometers northwest of the city of the capital, Amman. Ajloun is a collection of about 27 villages with a population approaching 200,000. Both Muslims and Christians live in the Ajloun city but the Christians are in minority.

One of the notable places in Ajloun is the Ajloun castle. The castle played a central role of controlling traffic between Damascus and Egypt during the twelfth century. The castle was renovated numerous times during the reigns of various rulers such as the Mamluks, and Salahuddin Ayyubi. The castle was destroyed during the times of the Mongols and it later suffered more damage during the earthquake that struck the area in the early twentieth century.

The Ajloun castle gets hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Ajloun is a great place for visitors as it not only gives them a sense of history dating back to the time of the early Muslims, the fertile landscape makes it an excellent place for sightseeing.

Below are some of the pictures of the Ajloun area and the collection of villages that make up Ajloun.

Sightseeing in Ajloun, Jordan

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The Ajloun Castle near Amman in Jordan
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The Ajloun Castle near Amman in Jordan
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Overlooking the Ajloun Governate and Ajloun villages
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Overlooking the Ajloun Governate and Ajloun villages
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The Ajloun Castle in Jordan (near Amman)
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The Ajloun Castle in Jordan (near Amman) – Top closeup shows the fortress like structure
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The Ajloun Castle in Jordan (near Amman) – One of the towers of the fortress like structure

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