MADINAH – To facilitate touring the city of Prophet Muhammad’s Mosque, the Saudi authorities have provided a service of a new double-decker bus for pilgrims who visit Madina during hajj season, Arab News reported on August 16.

The bus tour is supervised by the Development Authority of Madinah Region, which introduces visitors to some of the city’s  historic landmarks as well as its entertainment facilities, commercial sites, and public utilities.

“The bus tour covers 12 stops, including the Prophet’s Mosque, Al-Manakha, the ‘Beautiful Names of Allah’ Exhibition, Al-Salam Door, Al-Uhud Mountain, Al-Noor Mall, Abu Bakr Road, Masjid Al-Qiblatain, Al-Khandaq Mosque, Quba Mosque, Hejaz railway and Quba Boulevard,” a spokesman of the authority explained.

Trips start from the northern and southern entrances of the Prophet’s Mosque. The morning shift starts after the Fajr prayers and ends before noon, with departures every 30 minutes until noon, and the later shift starts after evening prayer with departures every 30 minutes until 11 p.m.

“All double-decker buses are equipped to transport people of all ages and people with special needs. Translation services covering 12 languages will apparently soon be available on the tours,” the authority announced.

Hajj will officially take place this year between Sunday, August 19, and Friday, August 24.

To visit Madinah isn’t part of Hajj, but the unique merits of the Prophet’s city, his Mosque, and his sacred tomb attract every pilgrim to visit it. There is neither Ihram nor talbiyah for the visit to Madinah or the Prophet’s Mosque.

Madinah is the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and is the second-holiest city in Islam after Makkah. It was Prophet Muhammad’s destination of his Hijrah (migration) from his birthplace Makkah.