Masjid al-Haram, or the Great Mosque of Mecca, is one of Islam’s holiest sites. Filled with history and tradition, it serves as a focal point for pilgrims from all over the world who gather here to pay homage to Allah. Maintained since 638 CE by successive caliphs, the oldest parts of this majestic structure date back to the 16th century. The courtyard of Masjid al-Haram houses several sacred sites such as the station of Abraham, the Ka’bah, and the Zamzam well. Each year millions of Muslim worshippers perform several rituals such as circumambulation of the Ka’bah and running between al-Safa and al-Marwah. Such rituals of piety have been maintained over the centuries, even when the mosque underwent renovations such as in 1571 under the guidance of Ottoman Sultan Selim II. Nowadays, the mosque has been modernized and expanded to accommodate up to 820,000 worshippers thanks to investment in construction projects by Saudi Arabia's oil-rich monarchy. The Islamic soul-searching initiated within its walls is a testament to its timelessness.