Mecca

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Sub-category 1: History
The city of Mecca, or Makkah, has no known archeological history before the 4th century AD. At this time, Yemen immigrants settled in to the area. It grew into a popular trading area during the 5th century when the Quraysh took over the city after making an agreement with the Bedouin nomads for posession. The Ka'aba was constructed during the 5th century. According to Muslim tradition, Abraham and his son were instructed to build this structure by Allah in honor of Allah for saving his wife and son. The Ka'aba was to be a gathering place for all those who wished to strengthen their connection with Allah. Source: [] Over time, the Ka'aba became a location for idol worship and was filled with many different depictions of many different idols. However, when Muhammad claimed Mecca, he turned the Ka'aba back into a location for worship to only Allah. Mecca was the center of the Muslim empire becuase it was the birth place of Islam and a trade center for Asia and Europe. Merchants and smaller shop owners would make their money by selling icons to traders that passed through. Islam was introduced to this city by Muhammed and the whole city changed. Muhammed marched into the city and took it over. The city then became an Islam based city. After Islam changed Mecca, the city became grew economically. They were getting people to come in from many different cultures and spending money there.

Sub-category 2: Importance to Islam
Mecca is the most important city in Islam. It is believed to be the birthplace and home of Muhammad. Muhammad started preaching of one god, Allah, and gathered many followers. He was not welcome in Mecca, and it was thought that he as hurting the city, so he left to Medina in 622 AD. There he gathered more followers, and became very powerful. In 628, he, and thousands of followers, marched back into Mecca and took over the city. He became the most politically powerful person, and was highly respected. He rid the Ka'aba of all the impurities it had gathered from many idols, and redevoted it to one god. Source: http://zombietime.com/mohammed_image_archive/misc_mo/mohammed-at-mecca.jpg

This trip to Mecca became one of the five pillars to Islam. Every Muslim who is financially capable is expected to make this trip at least once in their lifetime. It is to be carried out from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah (the 12th month of the Islam Calendar). Pilgrims are all equal during the Hajj. They all don the simple white clothes, called Ihram. Pilgrims must also be in a state of ritual purity, also called Ihram. media type="youtube" key="jM81wroj_MQ" height="315" width="420" []

Sub-category 3: Economics
The Meccan economy is dependent on the Hajj, especially since only Muslims are allowed in the city. Non-muslims are prohibited from entering the city and can be arrested. Source: http://www.historyofmecca.com/

Pilgrims who come to Mecca for the Hajj are taxed. Currently, between 2.5 and 3 million pilgrims visit Mecca during the Hajj every year. Annually, about 13 million Muslims visit Mecca. Over $100 million is made, but $50 million is spent by the Saudi government on services for the Hajj. The Saudi currency is the Saudi riyal. The major industries include jet travel, factories, and industries. Freeways and skyscrapers are being built to make the city more modern and so that pilgrims can enjoy the experience. Merchants' main income come from the pilgrims for the Hajj. The Hajj is also an important time for health workers, as 20,000 are mobilized to work during the Hajj for any emergency medical situations. Some Muslims come not during the time of the Hajj.

Source: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/saudi-arabia/adjusted-net-national-income-annual-percent-growth-wb-data.html

As with most economies, the Saudi Arabian economy goes up and down with the rest of the world's. As the economy of the world has recently taken a downturn, so has the growth in the Saudi Arabian economy. However, with more and more technological advances making the trip to Mecca easier for Muslims, the net income still continues to rise. However, in 2001, there was a slight decline in the net income for the Saudi Arabian's. This was the year that many Americans turned against Muslims, with the attacks on 9/11.

Sub-category 4: Culture
The culture is completely based on the Islamic religion and is heavily affected by the pilgrimages made by Muslims. The locals speak Arabic, and it is the most diverse city in the Muslim community due to the different people that visit. There are many different TV stations and newspapers available to the visitors. There are many primary newspapers focusing on the issues that affect the city, such as the Saudi Gazette. This has over a million readers. Sports are very popular and many go to watch them. Wrestling, foot races, and football are the most popular. The largest stadium in Mecca is the King Abdulaziz, and has a capacity of 38,000 people. Source: http://imagecache.soccerway.com/venues/600x450/1658.jpg

The security is very strict, since the large numbers of people visiting are very dangerous. Crowd control is very important, since the city is so packed. Many are trampled every year. On January 12, 2006, a stampede killed at least 346 pilgrims and injured over 200 more. The Saudi Arabian government employs about 63,000 security troops every year.