Medina

a city of Arabia. It is situated about 250 miles northwest of Mecca, about 105 miles in a direct line from the Red Sea. In 622 the flight of Mohammed from Mecca to Medina, known as the Hegira, took place. He died and was buried here. His remains rest in a tomb contained within the Great Mosque. The interior of this edifice measures about 390 by 500 feet. It is surrounded by galleries. The tomb, consisting of black stones, is concealed from the eyes of the profane by rich draperies. Medina was the capital of the Islam empire until 661 B. C. Being the burial place of the great prophet, it is one of the holy cities of the Mohammedans, second only to Mecca as a place of pilgrimage. The ordinary population is about 16,000. Medina is situated on a fertile plain, surrounded by a strong stone wall, fortified by towers. In 1908 a railway was completed from Damascus to Medina, a distance of 820 miles. It is the purpose of the Turkish government to extend the line to Mecca. See Mecca; Mohammed