Which city is considered the birthplace of Islam, significant to Saudi culture?

Mecca is regarded as the birthplace of Islam and holds immense significance in Saudi culture and the broader Islamic world. It is home to the Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam, located within the Masjid al-Haram (the Great Mosque). Every year, millions of Muslims from around the globe travel to Mecca to fulfill the Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. This pilgrimage not only underscores the religious importance of the city but also its cultural and historical relevance, as it has been a center for trade, learning, and spiritual activity for centuries.

Medina, while also highly significant as the city where Muhammad established a community and is buried, serves a different purpose in the Islamic tradition. Riyadh, the capital city, is primarily a political and economic center rather than a religious one, while Jeddah, although an important port and gateway for pilgrims traveling to Mecca, does not share the same historical significance as the birthplace of Islam. Thus, the cultural and historical context surrounding Mecca solidifies its status as the foundational city of Islam.