Christmas Day in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter

It's been a while since my last post. I know. But you try being a teacher. :) Now that the fall semester is over, let's catch up a bit.

For my first (and hopefully last) Christmas abroad, I went on a mini-vacation to Riyadh. In addition to the old Saudi State capital Diriyah, the national museum, and various other landmarks, I checked out the Diplomatic Quarter, where all of the foreign embassies are located.

Getting there was pretty easy with the car I rented and Google maps. The security at the entrance looks a bit intimidating, but they let pretty much everyone in after you explain what you're doing there and/or show some ID.

By far the best part of the Diplomatic Quarter is the walking trail/garden. The first picture below is of the entrance I used to get to it, but there could be others. It has some really cool man-made rock ledges, seats, and pathways. You'll also have the chance to lounge in a gazebo or play on a playground. It is along the edges of the Diplomatic Quarter overlooking a valley (see pictures below).

It is also pretty cool driving around the Diplomatic Quarter and seeing all of the embassies and the signs saying which country they belong to. The mosque is also really nice and the entrance to the cultural building will have you looking skywards for at least a few minutes. The area also boasts some really nice courtyards with restaurants to hang out in.

Well, that's it. Let me know if you go there and have any questions.

Entrance to the walking trail and garden area.

Outer "wall" of the diplomatic quarter.

The wadi (valley) below.

Minaret of the mosque.

Entrance to cultural building. Pretty cool overhang.

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5 Things I Learned About Prophet Muhammad's Mosque in Medina

In addition to Prophet Muhammad's (peace and blessings be upon him) favorite mountain in Medina, I got to visit the Prophet's mosque (al-Masjid al-Nabawi) during my trip to Medina.

Again, my memory is a bit fuzzy, but here is what I remember being told by my personal tour guide, an Islamic Studies professor at the university where I work.

1. The mosque was destroyed by fire at one point.
2. It was the first place in the region to have electricity.
3. The current mosque is bigger than the original city! When you go inside, you can see where the original mosque stood. That area is covered with a different colored carpet and I remember people competing for space in that little area so that they could pray where the Prophet would.
4. There was also a lot of people struggling with each other to get close to his tomb/grave that is inside the mosque (which some people want relocated). Many Muslims believe that the Prophet should not be idolized, and fear that too many people do idolize him. God should be the one you can't get enough of.
5. The graveyard next to the mosque is the final resting place for important figures of the Shia sect of Islam.

In addition to these fun facts, I learned that it is really, really big. During the Friday prayer I witnessed, I estimate that half a million people were there (inside and outside in the area under the umbrellas). On top of that, it's incredibly beautiful and simply awe-inspiring. Lots of important history and attention to detail make this a must-see if you are ever in Saudi Arabia.

Some pictures I took...

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The Prophet Muhammad's Favorite Mountain in Medina

During a trip to Medina in December 2014, I had the chance to visit the mountain that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had a special relationship with.

Note: I'm sharing what the tour guide and others in my group told me (and I don't have a perfect memory), so I apologize if anything is inaccurate.

After the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) moved from Mecca to Medina in the early days of Islam due to a low approval rate, the people from Mecca went to Medina and attacked the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his followers. When he needed a place to hide and get some rest and recovery, he came to this mountain.

Apparently, he just really loved this mountain-like he did all people.

The first two pictures below show exactly where he would stay on the mountain. The others I took at the foot of the mountain.

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