Al-Masjid al-Ḥaram (“The Sacred Mosque”) — commonly known as the Grand Mosque, Haram

Al-Masjid al-Ḥaram (“The Sacred Mosque”) — commonly known as the Grand Mosque, Haram or Haram Sharif — is the largest mosque in the world located in the city of Mecca, and considered by Muslims as the holiest place on Earth.

Isha prayer at the Haram Sharif mosque. Photo Mohammad Suman Hossain

Pilgrims circumambulating the Kaaba during the Hajj. Photo Mohammad Mahdi Karim

Visitors at the Zamzam Well at Haram Sharif mosque. Photo Mardetanha

Covering an area of 3,840,570 square feet (356,800 sq. meters) including the outdoor and indoor praying spaces, it can accommodate up to 4,000,000 during the Hajj period, one of the largest annual gatherings in the world.

The entire building is constructed out of the layers of gray blue stone from the hills surrounding Mecca. The 4 corners roughly face the 4 points of the compass. In the eastern corner is the Hajr-al-Aswad (the Black Stone), at the northern corner lies the Rukn-al-Iraqi, at the west lies Rukn-al-Shami, and at the south Rukn-al-Yamani.

The four walls are covered with a curtain — Kiswah — which is usually of black brocade with the Shahada outlined in the weave of the fabric. About two-thirds of the way up runs a gold embroidered band covered with Qur’anic text.

The Islamic teaching states that nothing is magical about the Grand Mosque except for the oasis Zamzam Well which has never dried ever since it was revealed.


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