Madinah (Medina) is the second holiest city in Islam, after Makkah (Mecca), and is the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad. It is also the home of three oldest mosques in the religion, reportedly built during the time of the Prophet. Like Makkah, access to the city is prohibited, although non-Muslims can travel through parts of it from the airport but cannot enter restricted areas marked as “haram” (literally sinful).

This is a series of quick pictures shot from the bus on our way to Mada’in Saleh, our final destination: