Makkah (Mecca)Mecca became the largest and richest trading city in Saudi

Arabia.

Kaaba• In the center of Mecca, the Kaaba

is a low square building. Arabs believe that inside the Kaaba is a stone that came from heaven (the “black stone”).

Madinah (Medina)A holy city to Muslims. It is where

Muhammad led his followers after people became angry with him in Mecca.

BedouinNomad and herders who travel from oasis

to oasis in search of food and water.

Muhammad • The founder of the

Islamic religion. He was born in Mecca in 570 CE (AD). He was a trader who Muslims believe was told by an angel named Gabriel that he was going to be a prophet of God. Muslims call their God Allah.

OasisGreen grassy areas in the desert that

are fed by underground springs.

Sheikh• The head of a nomadic tribe

caravan• A group of traveling merchants and

animals

Quran (Koran)

• Muslims wrote down the messages that Muhammad said he received from Allah (God). This book became known as the Quran (Koran).