More than 1.8 million pilgrims visited Mecca in Saudi Arabia last year, gathering at the Grand Mosque to perform rituals around the Kaaba. As millions prepare for this year’s Hajj, from 4 to 9 June, here’s a look back at the mosque’s origins as a simple courtyard, its major expansions over the past 70 years, and the modern facilities added. | BBC News Africa

2.7K views · 31 reactions | Mecca: The Saudi Arabia’s City of the World’s Contrasted Wonders. Witness the remarkable journey of Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, as it evolves from a modest place of worship into a bustling hub filled with towering skyscrapers, lavish hotels, and massive infrastructure projects. The entire video: https://youtu.be/Wa8v9di1YBI | City Architecture Gang | Facebook