Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām

The Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām (here in LEGO form by Jojojo) is the most holy site in all of Islam. This site in Mecca is the destination of the annual pilgrimage, or Hajj. Muslims believe that the Kaaba, the black-shrouded stone building in the center, was built by Abraham and Ishmael, and the stone set in its corner came from Paradise. At the time of Muhammad, this structure was a center for idol worship, but Muhammad cleared out these idols and rededicated the building to the worship of Allah. When Muslims pray each day, they turn to face this structure, and all Muslims seek to travel to this point at some time in their lives.