Cycling Into Medina, Islam's MODERN Holy City

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Uploaded: 26 Jul 2026 (6 days ago) · Shared: 28 Jul 2026
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Video Description (from Youtube)

Medina is the second holiest city in Islam. Home to the Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi) and the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad, it is one of the world's most important pilgrimage destinations. Every year, millions of Muslims travel here alongside nearby Mecca for Hajj and Umrah.

But Medina is changing. Saudi Arabia is investing billions of dollars expanding its holy cities, building vast new hotels, enlarging pilgrimage infrastructure and transforming the area around some of Islam's holiest sites. While these developments are making Medina more accessible than ever before, they are also reshaping the city's historic neighbourhoods and raising questions about heritage, redevelopment and the future of one of the oldest cities in the Islamic world.

In this documentary, I explore the history of Medina, the story of the Prophet Muhammad and the Hijrah, the significance of the Prophet's Mosque, the importance of Hajj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia's ambitious redevelopment of the city, and how the kingdom uses its holy cities to project religious influence, diplomacy and soft power around the world. I also get as close as I can to Mecca as a non-Muslim, to see Islam's holiest city from a distance. Home to the Grand Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Haram) and the Kaaba, it is the direction Muslims face whenever they pray.

As Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the King of Saudi Arabia holds enormous religious and cultural influence across the Muslim world. Culturally, stewardship of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina and the Grand Mosque in Mecca, home to the Kaaba, is something many Saudis take great pride in.

This video forms part of my documentary series exploring Saudi Arabia, its culture, history, politics and rapid transformation as I cycled solo across the Kingdom.

Support my channel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TieranFreedman

00:00 - Inside Medina: Islam's Changing Holy City
00:50 - Medina's Haram Boundary
01:50 - The Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi)
03:54 - Friday Prayers in Medina
05:29 - Hajj, Umrah & Pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina
07:58 - The Prophet Muhammad, the Hijrah & the Rise of Islam
11:56 - Umrah Pilgrims Share Their Thoughts
12:43 - Mecca, the Kaaba & Non-Muslim Access
14:15 - Why Mecca and Medina are so Important to Muslims
15:34 - Saudi Arabia's Redevelopment of Medina
19:13 - How Hajj & Umrah Shape Saudi Arabia
21:11 - The World's Largest Quran Printing Factory
23:14 - Medina Is Changing

Filming Equipment:

Mirrorless Camera - Sony A6700: https://amzn.to/4uWfQwV

Lens - Sony 18-135mm: https://amzn.to/4eFXVVe

Action Camera - GoPro 13: https://amzn.to/4w8ZEd1

Shotgun Mic - RØDE VideoMic NTG: https://amzn.to/4b6Llxg

Small Tripod - Gorillapod: https://amzn.to/4gBu8j2

Large Tripod - RoadtripPro: https://amzn.to/4vslFmU

Drone - DJI Mini 5 Fly More Combo: https://amzn.to/3Sg5dYv

Bike Equipment:

40L Rear Panniers: https://amzn.to/44oZAK2

12.5L Front Panniers: https://amzn.to/4l6OQhR

Note that I may earn a small commission from these affiliate links at no extra cost to you.

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