Mecca (Kaaba)

Mecca, located in Saudi Arabia, is the holiest city in Islam. At its center is the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure believed to have been built by the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Isma'il (Ishmael). Muslims around the world face the Kaaba during prayers, and it serves as a focal point during the Hajj pilgrimage, which is required at least once in a lifetime for all able Muslims. The Kaaba is covered in a black silk cloth and adorned with gold, symbolizing the unity of Muslims in worship and their devotion to God.