Located in a desert valley in western Saudi Arabia, Mecca is considered the holiest city in Islam as it is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic religion itself. Only Muslims are allowed to enter the city, as millions arrive for the pilgrimage annually, and Mecca includes many prominent tourist and religious places, the most important of which are: the Grand Mosque, and in its heart lies the Qibla of Muslims, the cloth-covered Kaaba, which is the holiest shrine of Islam, and Mount Arafat, which is formed from a flat plain surrounded by a series of mountains, and the Cave of Hira. The city of Mecca contains many mosques and places of worship for Muslims, including; Al-Khayf Mosque, Al-Bay’a Mosque, Hunayn Battle Mosque; In addition to its religious landmarks, Makkah has a number of large shopping centers that attract tourists, especially during the Hajj season, the most important of which are; Al-Hejaz Market, Makkah Mall, and Al-Hajj Street.