Explore the Exhibition

The Holy Kaaba


The Holy Kaaba is held by Muslims to be Bayt Allāh
(the House of God), marking their most sacred site. Pilgrimage to Bayt Allāh is one of the fundamental rites of Islam, and the location of the Kaaba determines the qibla, the direction of Muslim prayers. Muslims believe that it was first established by the Prophet Adam, later re-established by the Prophet Abraham and restored again to its central role as a symbol of the oneness of God by the Prophet Muhammad {pbuh} 14 centuries ago.

As the divinely ordained qibla for Muslims, the Kaaba signifies many things. It is a destination that welcomes and unifies all Muslims in place and time, and it is the place where all directions unite. In circling the Kaaba, differences of color, gender and language disappear, and upon seeing it, the hearts and eyes of the believers are filled with reverence for God.


For more details, kindly click on the image


The Holy Kaaba

Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje (d. 1936)

Calligraphic Composition

Ottoman Turkey, 12th–13th century AH/18th–19th century CE

This exhibition is curated by the Heritage Library team:

Aysha Al-Ansari\Ada Romero\Christopher Alario\Giulia Martini
Ikhlas Ahmed\ Mahmoud Gomaa\ Moez Dridi\ Walid Abdulwahed