photo-de-simo

	This is an incredible satellite photo of the Haram and surroundings. Kind of scary that people area monitoring this, but perhaps in the future we can use these images and GPS to control the flow of hajj better The rest of us could watch as the satellite updates every couple of minutes to show the movement of ppl during the hajj!! Here's another satellite image, but bigger.
	The Kaaba. The focus of the entire Muslim world and the most sacred building on earth. This photo shows how big the kaaba really is relative to the ppl constantly in motion around it. You can also see some of the beauty of the interior levels of the haram.
	This picture shows the haram one night when it is jam-packed with ppl from in front of the kaaba all the way up to the rooftop. The haram glows with power an energy in the midst of Makkah.
	Twilight at the haram filters everything into a blue light. Worshippers sit or stand right in front of the holy door to the Kaaba and the Maqam (station) of Ibrahim.
	An older photo of Makkah shows the Kaaba in earlier days surrounded by smaller buildings, archways and lamps. (Now the haram is practically incandescent with huge fluorescent lights!)
	A view of an outside wall of the haram hints at some of the incredible archictectural use of gold, marble and inlaid stones throughout the haram. The floors are indeed polished and clean enough to eat off of!
	Cars, buildings and mountains surround the picturesque masjid. The haram looks as if it's hiding a mysterious, beautiful secret within.
	Another older picture of the Haram al-Shareef depicts pilgrims in Tawaf during the Hajj. You can see the covers of the Kaaba lifted. There hardly seems room to move even.
	An aerial view of the haram before much of the construction that exists today. Here you can almost imagine Makkah without any of these tall buildings...the Kaaba alone in the middle of a mountainous desert with only small houses in the hills surrounding it.
	Amazing photograph of flood waters surrounding the Kaaba taken in 1941. Shows ppl hanging onto the Kaaba like a life jacket. Would you have to swim your Tawaf then?
	During Ottoman times and before, pilgrims arrived into Madinah through this door, the Gate of Salaam (Peace). This photo is circa 1910.
	A man prays in one of the sacred mosques. This photo symbolizes the essence of Islam. Serenity, peace, faith in God, simplicity, beauty...
	Another satellite photo shows Masjid an-Nabi and surroundings. Odd that the green dome isn't visible. The large field "underneath" the mosque is the Jannatul Baqiy cemetary. From these spots on the earth will the Prophet (saw), his daughters, Abu Bakr, Umar, many of the mothers of the believers and companions be raised up. If only we could be raised up among them.
	A lovely shot from the courtyard of the Prophet's Mosque. Underneath this green dome lies Rasulullah (saw), Abu Bakr (ra) & Umar (ra).
	Row after row of pillars and arches follow each other inside the haram of Madinah. Beautiful carpets line the floors. A cleaner leans on a pillar, taking a break from attacking even the smallest speck of dust.
	The famous Jannatul Baqiy Cemetary the resting abode of the daughters of Muhammad (saw), all the wives (except Khadija (ra) who is buried in Makkah), almost all of the famous companions and those who die in Madinah. Where the prophet will come first after being resurrected.
	Daytime view from the roof of the dome. Smaller domes indicate the multiple porcelean domes inside the mosque rawdah area. This picture also shows the mountains that surround Madinah. This view is the same that the prophet (saw) had from his house, which is where he is currently buried.
	A closeup of one of the minarets in Madinah. Masjid an-Nabi seems to change color depending on the time of day. Early in the morning after fajr it seems pink, during the day brown and pastels, in the evening gold and at night, a glowing alabaster white.
	Hundreds of ppl take to the roof of the prophet's mosque in Madinah praying under the open sky. Pillars and zamzam coolers line the roof as well as the floors underneath.
	Postcard perfect photo of Muhammad's mosque in Madinah. Even though the mosque was renovated recently to this size, ppl still line the roof as well as the surrounding courtyard.
	Night view of the courtyard and fence next to the dome. Hundreds of lamps surround the mosque and light up the courtyard at night. Different picture, same view but the courtyard seems to glow from within.
	A look at the interior of the orignial Masjid an-Nabi. Here the mihrab of rasulullah (saw) is shown along with a white flowered carpeted area which indicates the Rawdah. From my house to my minbar is a garden (rawdah) from the gardens of Paradise, said the prophet (saw). This area is always packed with ppl vying for even a hand span to do their sajdahs.
	This photo evokes the feelings of solitude and peace inherent of Madinah. Behind this quiet wall lies Rasullullah (saw).