Those of us that have walked through the expansive complex of Masjid Nabawi can attest to the fact that there is no other place as spiritual as Madinah al-Munawwarah. From the beautiful green dome, to the tranquility of the Rawdah, Masjid Nabawi is not only a spiritually heightened place, but it is also a place where Muslims find their inner calm.
However, for many around the world, visiting Masjid Nabawi is not possible. Whether that’s because of financial constraints or due to other commitments, not everyone has the chance to make such a trip.
Fortunately, there is a solution for those looking to explore. Without having to leave the comfort of your own home, you can now explore the Masjid Nabawi complex through virtual reality and all you need is a laptop/smartphone and WIFI. Even if you have travelled to Madinah before, you may be feeling nostalgic, which makes this solution even more interesting.
Last year, the King Fahd Glorious Quran Printing Complex (KFGQPC) in Saudi Arabia launched a 3D virtual tour of the Prophet’s Mosque, allowing virtual visits to the holy sites in Makkah and Madinah.
How It Works
Accessed via a webpage, it’s really simple to gets started.
With just a click of your mouse, you will find yourself in the centre of the Masjid Nabawi complex right in front of the Al-Salam Gate – the entrance pilgrim’s enter when intending to convey their salutation to the Prophet PBUH.
With a simple click, you can make your way inside Masjid Nabawi and explore the Riyadh Jannah and pulpit area and then make your way to the place where pilgrims convey their salaams to the Prophet PBUH and his two closest companions in the Rawdah. The best part about it all is that all this can be done from the comfort of your own home without any distractions.
“Virtual-reality technology has started to play a critical role in the tourism industry by virtually exposing users to certain places,” says Hamza Ghandorh, a professor of computer science at Taibah University.
In a conference, Ghandorh mentioned, “Religious tourism is gaining in popularity, and more and more people want to visit the religious places.”
If you’re interested in exploring the 3d virtual tour of the Prophet’s Mosque, click on the following link: https://vr.qurancomplex.gov.sa/msq/
Main Image Credit: Anas Miah (Unsplash)
Juber Ahmed is our Digital Editor and travel enthusiast with a keen interest in Islamic history and heritage. He travels with his wife to various places around the world and writes about his experiences.
Juber's favourite Quote...
"The World Is a Book and Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only One Page" [Saint Augustine]
