President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva and family members have performed Umrah pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca.

President Ilham Aliyev, his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva and family members, who wore special clothes, arrived at the Masjid al-Haram.

Heads of the mosque cordially welcomed the head of state.

President Ilham Aliyev and his entourage circumambulated the Kaaba, and performed a prayer in the mosque. The head of state and his family members entered the Kaaba and prayed in it.

As we know the doors of the Kaaba open to high guests in exceptional cases. This time the doors of the Kaaba opened to President Ilham Aliyev and members of his family. This is a manifestation of the importance the Islamic world attaches to the personality and activity of President Ilham Aliyev.

Then they started a pilgrimage to small Al-Safa and Al-Marwah mountains. The President of Azerbaijan and family members overcame the distance between the two small mountains seven times.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) was born and reached prophecy in this land, and Islam was established in Mecca.

At the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) Kaaba became the most sacred site for Muslim pilgrims.

A magnificent mosque was later built between the Kaaba and the Zamzam Well and small Al-Safa and Al-Marwah mountains.

Every year during Hajj, millions of Muslims coming from various parts of the world perform rituals of pilgrimage that include circumambulation around the Kaaba, the kissing of the Black Stone, and a prayer in the Masjid al-Haram.

President Ilham Aliyev, his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva and family members entered the Kaaba and prayed here.

According to the Quranic verses and hadiths, the Kaaba was the first house that was built for humanity to worship.

In the Quran, Allah the Almighty said: “Verily, the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Mecca full of blessing, and guidance for Al-'Alamin. In it are manifest signs, the Maqam of Ibrahim (Abraham); whosoever enters it...” (sura Al-Imran).

The Kaaba has severely changed through the history, being partially or completely constructed in various periods, and reached today`s immensity.

After completing Umrah, the head of state viewed the Masjid al-Ḥaram.

The President of Azerbaijan was informed about the mosque.