About Medina
Medina, the second most holy city in Islam, is known primarily as the burial place of the Prophet Mohammad, who is interred in the Prophet's Mosque.
Even our non-Muslim recruits (nurses and physicians) to the King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Medina site, comment on the ineffable feeling of peace in the city.
Until 2023, non-Muslims were not allowed to enter Medina. Today, non-Muslims can move freely throughout the city, but cannot enter the fenced-off area around the Prophet's Mosque.
Like the rest of Saudi Arabia, Medina's population has recently increased. In 1980, the city of Medina had a population of approximately 300,000. In 2025, the city has a population of approximately 1.5 million.
Medina's Economy
The economy is based on agriculture, particularly the cultivation of dates and pomegranates, as well as on petrochemical and food processing. Also, for centuries, providing services to religious pilgrims has been a mainstay of Medina's economy. Throughout any year, around 18 million pilgrims visit Mecca and Medina to perform Umrah, a non-compulsory pilgrimage. This contrasts with the mandatory once-in-a-life Hajj, which brings around 1.7 to 1.8 million pilgrims to visit Mecca and Medina at a specific five-day period each year. (Muslims can make multiple Umrahs.)
Tourism
Saudi Arabia's recent withdrawal of the ban on non-Muslims entering Medina has led to the development of local tourist sites, and has contributed to an influx of Western, especially European, non-Muslim tourists. Simultaneously, hotels, restaurants, and sightseeing trips have increased.
The most famous attraction in the area is the ancient Nabatean tombs at Hegra, known as Mada'in Saleh. In 2008, the tombs were proclaimed Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage site. The 110 tombs, located 402 km (250 miles) northwest of Medina, show numerous inscriptions and pictures from the Nabatean Kingdom in the first century. Many people say these tombs rival those located at Petra in Jordan.
Turning to more modern activities, Uhud Mountain, located only 10km (six miles) from the city centre, is the most famous mountain in Medina and is popular for its hiking and spectacular views. It is 1,077 meters (3,533 feet) high, and is the site the Battle of Uhud, a 625CE battle between early Muslims and the local Quraysh tribe who, at the time, were polytheists. The fabulous Red Sea is 235 km (146 miles) away at Yanbu. And, of course, Jeddah is a four-hour drive -- or a 2.5-hour high speed train trip -- away.
In my view, the most awe-inspiring aspects of Saudi Arabia are the endless sand dunes, the strange stone outcroppings, and the vast desert floor, which is littered with ancient fossils and other mysterious artefacts.
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