Mecca is the holiest city in Islam, but Medina is a close second, and Jerusalem is the third holiest city. Mecca (مكة) remains closed to non-Muslims, and Medina had been also closed until 2022. The Prophet's Mosque is still closed to to non-Muslims visitors, and restrictions apply, but when you can walk through the rows of worshippers outside and see the green dome of the tombs of Muhammad and two of his companions and fathers-in-law, Abu Bakr and Umar, from your hotel, these restriction don't mean much.
The correct name for Medina is al-Madīna al-Munawwara (Arabic: المَدِينَةُ المُنَوَّرَة). Medina is home to approximately 1.5 million inhabitants and a fluctuating number of pilgrims on their way to Mecca, even outside the pilgrimage month of Dhu al-Hijjah (ذي الحجة). Medina can be considered the "cradle of Islamic culture and civilization." Previously, the city was called Yathrib (َثْرِب), a name found on Babylonian inscriptions. Muhammad initially renamed the city Taybah, the Kind or the Good (طَيْبَة). Today, it is most commonly called Al-Madinah (The City) [1].
The correct name for Medina is al-Madīna al-Munawwara (Arabic: المَدِينَةُ المُنَوَّرَة). Medina is home to approximately 1.5 million inhabitants and a fluctuating number of pilgrims on their way to Mecca, even outside the pilgrimage month of Dhu al-Hijjah (ذي الحجة). Medina can be considered the "cradle of Islamic culture and civilization." Previously, the city was called Yathrib (َثْرِب), a name found on Babylonian inscriptions. Muhammad initially renamed the city Taybah, the Kind or the Good (طَيْبَة). Today, it is most commonly called Al-Madinah (The City) [1].
The Prophet's Mosque (ٱلْمَسْجِد ٱلنَّبَوِي) can accommodate 1 million worshippers. But there's also space around the mosque, and during my visit, there were worshippers praying there. These are separate areas through which even non-Muslims can walk from one side of the square to the other. The mosque and the prayer area measure approximately 1000 by 400 meters. The square is lined with shops and hotels. Those interested in the architecture can find more information in the Wikipedia article [2].
Between our hotel and the mosque was The International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet's Biography and Islamic Civilization (المعرض والمتحف الدولي للسيرة النبوية) [3]. Besides artifacts, visitors walk past enormous walls: 3D, virtual reality, and panoramic, interactive, and cinematic displays educate visitors. "Content: Highlights include the Prophet's life, noble manners, Islamic civilization, and detailed models of Makkah and Medina." The museum guide who accompanied us spoke perfect English and French, but also understood German.
Since there was even more to see in Medina, I will certainly write about it again. I noticed that the pilgrims also engage in some tourism, as people back home expect a report and perhaps a souvenir.
Links and Annotations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medina and https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medina
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophet%27s_Mosque
[3] https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/makkah/attractions/international-exhibition-and-museum-of-the-biography-of-the-prophet-and-islamic-civilization and https://med.ethaf.com/en
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[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medina and https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medina
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophet%27s_Mosque
[3] https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/makkah/attractions/international-exhibition-and-museum-of-the-biography-of-the-prophet-and-islamic-civilization and https://med.ethaf.com/en
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