History of Mecca in Timeline

Mecca, officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, is the holiest city in Islam and the capital of Mecca Province in Saudi Arabia's Hejaz region. Located 70 km inland from Jeddah, it sits in a narrow valley 277 m above sea level. With a 2022 metropolitan population of 2.4 million, it is the third-most populated city in Saudi Arabia. A significant portion of its population consists of Muslim foreigners. Mecca experiences a massive influx of pilgrims during the annual Hajj, more than tripling the city's population. In 2023, it was among the world's top ten most visited cities, attracting over 10.8 million international visitors.

1911: Madrasat al-Falāḥ Founded

In 1911, Muhammad ʿAlī Zaynal Riḍā, a Jeddah merchant, founded the Madrasat al-Falāḥ in Mecca, costing £400,000.

November 1916: News reports on the Hajj

News reports in November 1916, via contact in Cairo with returning Hajj pilgrims, stated that with the Ottoman Turkish authorities gone, the Hajj of 1916 was free of the previous massive extortion and monetary demands made by the Turks who were agents of the Ottoman government.

1924: Battle of Mecca

Following the 1924 Battle of Mecca, the Sharif of Mecca was overthrown by the Saud family, leading to Mecca's incorporation into Saudi Arabia.

1925: Saudi Conquest

In 1925, Mecca was conquered by Ibn Saud and his allies during the Saudi conquest of Hejaz, leading to significant expansion and modernization of the city's infrastructure.

1929: Wireless Stations Set Up

In 1929, wireless stations were set up in various towns in the region of Mecca, creating a radio network.

1930: Cholera Outbreaks

Between 1830 and 1930, Mecca was regularly hit by cholera outbreaks, with 27 outbreaks among pilgrims.

1932: Radio Network Functional

By 1932, the wireless stations network that was set up in 1929 in various towns in the region of Mecca, became fully functional.

1936: Increase in Telephones

In 1936, the number of public telephones in Mecca increased from 20 to 450, totaling about half the telephones in the country. During that time, telephone lines were extended to Jeddah and Ta'if.

1942: Severe Flood

In the last century, the most severe flood in Mecca was that of 1942.

1945: Establishment of Al Wahda FC

Al Wahda FC, one of the oldest sport clubs in Saudi Arabia, was established in Mecca in 1945.

1949: Establishment of Umm Al-Qura University

Umm Al-Qura University in Mecca was established in 1949 as a college.

1950: Radio Broadcasts for Pilgrims

In 1950, radio communication began to be used to direct the pilgrimage and address the pilgrims, starting with broadcasts on the Day of 'Arafah (9 Dhu al-Hijjah).

1957: Radio Makkah

By 1957, Radio Makkah became the most powerful station in the Middle East at 50 kW, later increased to 450 kW.

1965: Floods by 1965

According to al-Kurdī, there had been 89 floods in Mecca by 1965.

1970: Enterprises since 1970

Since 1970, various types of enterprises have existed in Mecca, including corrugated iron manufacturing, copper extraction, carpentry, upholstery, bakeries, farming and banking.

1972: Pilgrim Taxes

Taxes on pilgrims in Mecca, which were especially increased during the Great Depression, existed as late as 1972.

November 1979: Seizure of the Grand Mosque

On 20 November 1979, two hundred armed dissidents led by Juhayman al-Otaibi seized the Grand Mosque, leading to a two-week siege and significant damage, especially to the Safa-Marwah gallery.

1979: Design of the Mecca Gate

In 1979, the Mecca Gate, also known as the Quran Gate, was designed by Egyptian architect Samir Elabd.

1981: Umm Al-Qura University

In 1981, Umm Al-Qura University became a public university in Mecca.

1985: Modern Communications

By 1985, Mecca had modern telephone, telex, radio and television communications including stations like Saudi TV1, Saudi TV2, Saudi TV Sports, Al-Ekhbariya, Arab Radio and Television Network.

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1985: Demolition of historic buildings

Since 1985, approximately 95% of Mecca's historic buildings, many over a thousand years old, have been demolished under Saudi rule.

July 1990: Pedestrian Tunnel Tragedy

On 2 July 1990, a pilgrimage to Mecca ended in tragedy when the ventilation system failed in a crowded pedestrian tunnel, resulting in the suffocation or trampling deaths of 1,426 people.

2005: Number of Schools

As of 2005, Mecca had 532 public and private schools for males and 681 for female students.

May 2007: Provincial Governor

Since May 16, 2007, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal has been the provincial governor of Mecca.

November 2010: Al Masha'er Al Muqaddassah Metro Opens

In November 2010, the Al Masha'er Al Muqaddassah Metro line in Mecca opened. The 18.1-kilometer elevated metro transports pilgrims to the holy sites to reduce road congestion during the Hajj season.

2010: Discovery of Saadanius fossil

In 2010, Mecca and the surrounding area became an important site for paleontology with the discovery of a Saadanius fossil, a primate closely related to the common ancestor of Old World monkeys and apes.

September 2015: Stampede at Mina

On 24 September 2015, 700 pilgrims were killed in a stampede at Mina during the stoning-the-Devil ritual at Jamarat.

2015: Mayor of Mecca

In 2015, Osama bin Fadhel Al-Barr served as the mayor of Mecca.

2018: Haramain High Speed Railway operational

In 2018, the Haramain High Speed Railway began operation, connecting Mecca and Medina via Jeddah. The railway uses 35 electric trains capable of speeds up to 300 kmh.