Best Pixel Stories : 09/16/16

Friday 16 September 2016

AP PHOTOS: Islamic site near Mecca among few still preserved

In this Friday, Sept. 9, 2016 photo, a Pakistani man living near Hira cave reads before sunrise on Noor Mountain, where the Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation from God to preach Islam, on the outskirts of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of Islam’s most important historical sites _ the cave where the Prophet Muhammad spent time in seclusion, contemplation and self-reflection.

Just outside the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia lies one of Islam's most important historical sites — a cave where, according to tradition, the Prophet Muhammad spent time in seclusion, contemplation and self-reflection.

It was here, inside Hira Cave located near the top of a steep hill called Noor Mountain, where Muslims believe God revealed to the prophet the first verses of the Quran through the angel Jebril, or Gabriel as he is named in English.