Saudi Arabia is much stricter with its Ramadan restrictions, yet it is one of the most popular tourist destinations during the holy month. Why? One of the most common activities for Gulf families during the last 10 days of our fast is to plan trips to Mecca. This is known as the Umrah, which is a lesser pilgrimage than the Haj but, nonetheless, an important part of Islam. Obviously being in the holiest Islamic city heightens our spirituality, which is the purpose of Layali al Qadr, or Nights of Power.
One of the key turning points during the Muslim conquest of Mecca was the realisation by the Quryash leader, Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, that the Prophet Mohammed's army was too strong to fight. Abu Sufyan ibn Harb actually converted to Islam the night before the conquest - talk about leaving it to the last minute.
