Medina is a city in western Saudi Arabia. One of Islam’s most holy cities, Medina, is a sprawl of minarets and shops wrapped around the landmark, the Prophet’s Mosque.
Medina is the world's largest religious center, the entrance to its territory is limited to Muslims only. However, everyone can visit suburban areas. It is also worth mentioning that you still will be able to look at the holy places, even from afar. Holiday season is the best time to visit Medina as the climate in this region is rather peculiar. In summer it is very hot and winters are very cold. However, fall and spring will never prevent you from walks and sightseeing. You'll be surprised to see a huge number of palm groves in this place. It is believed that first palm trees have appeared exactly in this area, and then spread throughout Saudi Arabia.
Medina (often spelled Madinah) is known as the 'city of the Prophet'. It is where Islam's messanger, was given refuge after being exiled from Mecca. Here he lived, built his mosque, fought pivotal battles, and it's where he was finally laid to rest. Monuments to this seminal period of his life are what pilgrims from all over the world come to visit, but the city's central area is off limits to non-Muslims
The residents of Medina are Arabic-speaking Muslims, most of whom belong to the Sunni branch of Islam. The city is one of the most populous in Saudi Arabia, and it is common for Muslims who make the pilgrimage to settle in the city. Farming and pottery making are important occupations.
Since it is visited only by Muslims, for religious purpose, the main thing to see is the Masjid Nabawi or the Prophet's Mosque where devout Muslims offer prayers. Men are allowed to visit the actual burial site of the Prophet and pay respects throughout the opening hours of the mosque, which used to close for the night at around 10PM but has since become 24/7. Women may visit only after the Fajr or dawn and Duhr or afternoon prayers, when they are taken there in groups according to their countries. In fact most of the things to be done or seen are around this grand mosque which is at the city centre. Adjacent to the mosque is Jannatul Baqi, a huge graveyard, where most family members and companions of the Prophet are buried. Other things to be seen ,a little away from the city, are the plains and mountain of Uhud where the battle took place. There is also the burial ground of the 70 martyrs of this battle including the Prophet's uncle Hamza who is considered one of the greatest martyrs of all time. Further away is the Masjid Qiblatayen where the Prophet was ordered by Allah to turn his face from Masjid Aqsa in Jerusalem to the Kaaba in Makkah while offering prayers; Masjid Jumua where the Prophet prayed the first Jumua or Friday prayers; Masjid Gamama where once he had prayed for rain; Masjid Quba at Quba, which is the first mosque of Islam. Another place worth visiting is the battleground of Khandaq or the Trench. Also Medina Are famous for palm plantations and the most popular date is "Ajwah" and "Rothana"
Although Medina was known in early Islamic times for metalworking, jewelry, and armory, those industries were never large-scale, and most activity was connected with agricultural technology until the mid-20th century. Principal activities came to include automobile repair, brick and tile making, carpentry, and metalworking.
Today, Medina ("Madinah" officially), in addition to being the second most important Islamic pilgrimage destination after Mecca, is an important regional capital of the western Saudi Arabian province of Al Madinah. Though the city's sacred core of the old city is off limits to non-Muslims, Medina is inhabited by an increasing number of Muslim and non-Muslim expatriate workers of other Arab nationalities (Egyptians, Jordanians, Lebanese, etc.), South Asians (Bangladeshis, Indians, Pakistanis, etc.) and Filipinos.
