MADINAH: The holy city of Madinah in Saudi Arabia continues its centuries’ old tradition of receiving visitors and pilgrims who enjoy visiting its famous mosques and landmarks dating back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad.
Al-Khandaq Mosque or the Mosque of the “Trench,” which is also referred to as the “Mosque of the Conquest,” is one of the historical sites that visitors to Madinah have high on their list of “must-sees.” It is connected to the Battle of the Trench, which took place during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The mosque is located in the trench northwest of Madinah where the events of the Battle of the Trench took place.
A few years ago Saudi Arabian authorities expanded the mosque. It is built in a modern architectural style that highlights the aesthetic value of the area and the value of the trench, which is situated at the foot of Jabal Sal’a mountain.
Madinah’s battle of the trenches marked the consolidation of the Prophet’s tenure when he was faced with an attack on Madinah made by an alliance of Jewish and non-Muslim Arab tribes to unseat him.
The digging of the trench around the city saved the day and denied the effective use of cavalry in storming the city by 10,000 attackers who besieged Madinah for more than 30 days.
The Saudi Press Agency recently captured the daily influx of visitors to Madinah during the holy month of Ramadan.
Photos show activity in Al-Khandaq Mosque and seven other mosques in its vicinity. The photographs are a reportage of activities ranging from praying and sightseeing to learning about the mosque’s history, and help put them into the context of the role played by the mosque and the city in spreading the values of Islam and its religious message.
