The Prophet's venerable Mosque, al Masjid al Nabawi al Sharif in al Madinah was the first formal mosque built during the course of the establishment of Islam. Its importance thus lies in its being a point of reference for the foundation not only of Islam, but also of Islamic architecture. As a result of the latest expansion it is also the largest mosque in the world, capable of holding one million worshippers. Drawing mainly on Arabic sources, this book documents the historical significance of the building and the surrounding city. It moves on to cover the New Extension, illustrating its concept and design, the renovation of the existing mosque and a re-evaluation of nearby areas of the city. A range of illustrations shows the integration of modern technology and materials with traditional features, as well as the achievements of Islamic civilization from the work of the old master-craftsmen to the technical experts of today.

Al Masjid al Haram at Makkah, the spiritual abode of Islam and the Muslim world, is a complex of holy sites and built spaces that is totally unique. In response to the ever-increasing numbers of worshippers a highly significant new project to extend, modernize and embellish the mosque and its surroundings was started in 1991.