Standard TimeAST |
UTC+3 |
Daylight Saving Time
|
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
IANA Time Zone |
Asia/Riyadh |
Mecca time compared to Beijing time (China) |
5 hours ahead |
Mecca, Saudi Arabia: Islam's First Holy Site
Located in the Hijaz region of western Saudi Arabia, Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and is off limits to non-Muslims. As the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the birthplace of Islam, Mecca is the center of daily worship for more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide. The heart of the city is the Forbidden Mosque and its inner Kerbai, believed to have been built by the Prophet Ibrahim's father and son, and is the central location for Muslims to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.
Hajj and the character of the city
Every year in the month of December of the Islamic calendar, millions of Muslims come to perform the Hajj, which is the fifth major Islamic duty. Mecca's city was built to expand outward from the Forbidden Mosque, with modern facilities such as the Abraj Al-Beit Clock Tower to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. The city's economy is almost entirely dependent on Hajj-related activities, and it lacks historical monuments (which have been rebuilt several times as a result of events in early Islamic history), but its religious status is irreplaceable.
Cultural and Modern Significance
Mecca is not only a center of religious observance, but also symbolizes the unity of the Muslim world. The Saudi government has continued to undertake major expansions to enhance the Hajj experience and safety. Despite its high degree of modernization, Mecca has always retained its sanctity, and for Muslims around the globe, a visit to Mecca is the culmination of a once-in-a-lifetime religious obligation and spiritual journey.
Mecca Sunrise/Sunset Today,
Today is 2025-12-30
Sunrise Time
06:57
Local Time
Sunset Time
17:48
Local TimeTime difference between Mecca and other cities
Other cities in Saudi Arabia
Asia Countries/Regions
