President Aliyev visits Prophet's Mosque in Medina
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has visited the city of Medina as part of his official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
President Aliyev, his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva and family members
visited the Prophet's Mosque.
Religious figures cordially welcomed the head of state.
Then the president, his spouse and family members performed a
prayer in the mosque.
The Prophet's Mosque, also called Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, is one of
the largest mosques in the world. It is the second-holiest site in
Islam, after al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.
The original mosque was built by prophet Muhammad and his
companions next to the house where he settled after his journey to
Medina. The mosque, which covers a total area of 400,000 square
meters, has 10 minarets.
High guests are allowed to enter the place, where Prophet Mohammed
was buried, in exceptional cases. This time the doors of the place
opened to the head of state and members of his family.
Many pilgrims who perform the Hajj go on to Medina to visit the
mosque due to its connections to the life of Muhammad. Now 650,000
Muslims can pray here at the same time.
As part of the visit to the Kingdom, President Aliyev, his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva and family members have also performed the Umrah pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca.
President Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva completed the official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on April 7.