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Medina

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Medina is a major city in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia.

ISS030-E-266117 - View of Saudi Arabia
ISS030-E-266117 - View of Saudi Arabia

It serves as the capital of Medina Province. The city is one of the most important centers in Islamic history. It is considered the second holiest city in Islam. Mecca is the first holiest city, and Jerusalem is the third.

Madina Haram at evening
Madina Haram at evening

As of 2022, the population was 1,477,023 people. This makes it the fourth-most populous city in Saudi Arabia. About 58.5% of the residents are Saudi citizens. The remaining 41.5% are foreigners.

Medina Age Structure Chart
Medina Age Structure Chart

The geography of the area is diverse. The city is located in the core of the Medina Province. Much of the area is occupied by the Hejaz Mountains.

Mount Uhud
Mount Uhud

There are also empty valleys and agricultural spaces. The landscape includes older, dormant volcanoes.

Medina from ISS 2017
Medina from ISS 2017

The urban area covers a specific portion of this land. The rest of the province remains natural or agricultural. This mix of mountains and valleys shapes the city's environment.

Medina has undergone many name changes throughout history. Before the advent of Islam, the city was known as Yathrib.

An inscription mentioning prophet's grave in Madinah
An inscription mentioning prophet's grave in Madinah

The name Yathrib appears in the Quran in Chapter 33. Some traditions say Muhammad later forbade this name. He renamed the city Taybah, which means "the Kind."

An inscription mentioning prophet's grave in Madinah
An inscription mentioning prophet's grave in Madinah

It was also called Tabah. The modern name, Medina, is a simplified version of these terms. It can also be called Al-Madinah, which means "The City."

Gold dinar of Umar II
Gold dinar of Umar II

The city's history includes many different ruling powers. For a long time, Jewish-Arabian tribes controlled the region. By the fifth century CE, the 'Aws and Khazraj Arab tribes became prominent.

Sab'u Masajid
Sab'u Masajid

After the Hijrah in 622 CE, Medina became the capital of a Muslim caliphate. This era saw the formation of the ummah, or community. This community included the Ansar, who were local citizens. It also included the Muhajirun, who immigrated from Mecca.

Quba Mosque SA
Quba Mosque SA

Following this, many empires held power in the region. These included the Umayyads, Abbasids, Mamluks, and Ottomans. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has controlled the city since 1925.

Religious sites are the heart of Medina's significance. Al-Masjid al-Nabawi is a mosque of exceptional importance.

Green dome, Masjid e Nabawi, Medina, KSA
Green dome, Masjid e Nabawi, Medina, KSA

Muhammad built this mosque in 622 CE. It serves as the burial site of the Prophet. Many Muslims visit his tomb, called the rawḍah, during a pilgrimage known as Ziyarat.

Other important sites include the Quba Mosque, which is the oldest in Islam.

Quba Mosque SA
Quba Mosque SA

The Masjid al-Qiblatayn is another prominent mosque.

Mihrab of Masjid al-Qiblatayn Interior
Mihrab of Masjid al-Qiblatayn Interior

These locations draw people from all over the world.

Several landmarks offer deep historical and spiritual meaning. Mount Uhud is a famous site located southeast of the Prophet's Mosque.

جبل أحد - مساء3 - panoramio
جبل أحد - مساء3 - panoramio

The Al-Baqi' cemetery is also a major landmark. The city contains the Seven Mosques and the Masjid al-Fath.

Sab'u Masajid
Sab'u Masajid

For modern religious work, the King Fahd Glorious Qur'an Printing Complex is located here.

Mihrab of Masjid al-Qiblatayn Interior
Mihrab of Masjid al-Qiblatayn Interior

Even historical tokens show the city's long-standing importance.

'Madinah Sharif' Indian token
'Madinah Sharif' Indian token

Today, Medina is a highly connected modern city. Travelers can arrive via the Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport.

Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport at Noon
Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport at Noon

The Haramain High Speed Railway also connects the region.

Haramain High Speed Railway Station in Medina
Haramain High Speed Railway Station in Medina

Within the city, people use government-run buses to travel.

Medina Buses Salam Road Stop
Medina Buses Salam Road Stop

This infrastructure supports both the local population and the many pilgrims who visit. The city remains a vital link between ancient tradition and modern life.

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🖼️ Images & Media (26)
File:An inscription mentioning prophet's grave in Madinah.jpg
An inscription mentioning prophet's grave...
File:'Madinah Sharif' Indian token.jpg
'Madinah Sharif' Indian token.jpg
File:Quba Mosque SA.jpg
Quba Mosque SA.jpg
File:Mount Uhud.JPG
Mount Uhud.JPG
File:Sab'u Masajid.jpg
Sab'u Masajid.jpg
File:Green dome, Masjid e Nabawi, Medina, KSA.jpg
Green dome, Masjid e Nabawi, Medina, KSA.jpg
File:Gold dinar of Umar II.jpg
Gold dinar of Umar II.jpg
File:Salahadin's Tomb, Umayyad Mosque, Damascus 001 (4931142474).jpg
Salahadin's Tomb, Umayyad Mosque,...
File:Khalili Collection Hajj and Arts of Pilgrimage Arc.pp-0254.11.jpg
Khalili Collection Hajj and Arts of...
File:Wadi Rum railway track, Hejaz railway, Jordan.jpg
Wadi Rum railway track, Hejaz railway, Jordan.jpg
File:Sacred Relics Train.jpg
Sacred Relics Train.jpg
File:Medina from ISS 2017.jpg
Medina from ISS 2017.jpg

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