Theos-Talk Archives (May 2002 Message tt00147)

Mecca is the city where Muhammad was born and is considered the 
holiest of holy places for Moslems. Non-believers are not permitted 
in the city. Another holy place is Medina, though not as holy, and 
is where Muhammad died. If I am not mistaken, non-believers are also 
forbidden from entering this city as well. As part of the Islamic 
ritual, if it's at all humanly possible, each Moslem is required to 
make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca at least once in their 
lives. Often, very devout Moslems try to make that pilgrimage more 
than once in their lives and feel cleansed and worthy of Allah upon 
doing so. It is the location of Mecca that determines which 
direction Moslems face to pray, East or West.