subject: Ka'aba – the direction to which Muslims around the world turn to pray [print this page] Every year over 13 million people visit the city of Mecca during the festival of Hajj. It is the holy ground of the Muslims the world over, and it is the one destination that every believer hopes to reach. For many Muslims it is a dream to take the pilgrimage to Mecca. Only those who follow the practises of Islam may enter the city.
Home to the largest mosque in the world Masjid al-Haram, the city is a blessed sight. Also called the Grand Mosque, the Masjid al-Haram houses the scared shrine called the Ka'aba. What may look like a black cube to those who are not familiar with Islam, is the focal point and the direction in which all Muslims across the world face to pray.
The structure is made out of black granite and was built and re-built many times during its existence. The Ka'aba stands 15 meters high and 10 to 12 metres wide. The southeast corner of the structure has a black meteorite, in which a silver frame is embedded. Towards the north side of the structure, one may find a set of stairs which leads to a door, which one may discover that the inside is hollow and empty. A black silk cloth, embroidered intricately with versus from the Quaran covers the Ka'aba. This cloth is called a kiswah and is replaced every year.
The creators of this landmark building were said to have been the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael, which predates it to the religion itself. Although the origins of the Ka'aba are not clear, the impact and significance of this stone structure is remarkable. It is one of the most sacred sites in Islam, and is part and parcel of the pilgrimage to Makkah. Pilgrims will go round the Ka'aba seven times in a counter clockwise direction, on Hajj day. This can be a daunting task, because as many as 3 million people can be gathered within the premises.
