Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Al-Khayf Mosque — mosque in Saudi Arabia. Located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Masjid al-Khayf, in the valley of Mina east of Mecca, at the foot of Mina's southern mountain near the smallest Jamarat pillar, is one of the best-known mosques of the Hajj sites. Its name comes from Khayf Bani Kinanah; khayf means the slope between the rough mountainside and the watercourse below. It marks where the Prophet Muhammad prayed in Mina, and a narration attributed to Ibn Abbas says seventy prophets prayed here. Historians placed the Prophet's prayer spot near the stones in front of the minaret, once marked by a dome in the middle of the mosque that was removed during renovation, as recorded by the historian al-Azraqi in his Akhbar Makkah. The mosque has been rebuilt and enlarged many times, most recently into a vast building with four minarets holding tens of thousands of worshippers. It stands in the heart of Mina, the city of tents, which covers some twenty square kilometres with more than 100,000 air-conditioned tents for pilgrims during the days of Tashreeq. In the Hajj season its halls overflow with pilgrims who pray here during their days in Mina.
Mecca and the Hajj sites are open to Muslims only. During Hajj the mosque is packed, so go early for prayers and follow the organisers' instructions. Outside the Hajj season Mina is quiet and nearly empty, and the mosque's opening may be limited, so check locally. Modest dress, and hijab for women, are expected.
Hours and prices change — check before you go. Source: ar.wikipedia.org
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AttractionMecca, Saudi Arabia
