Pilgrims who have completed Haj are flocking to mosques, relics and historic sites in Madinah and Jeddah’s famous Corniche waterfront. Guests of God in Madinah are keen on visiting the Prophet’s Mosque and other famous landmarks, including the Quba Mosque, one of the oldest in the world whose first foundations were laid down by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Qiblatain Mosque, where the direction of prayer was changed from Jerusalem to Makkah, and the Al-Jumaa Mosque, where the Prophet (pbuh) prayed his first Friday congregational prayer after leaving Quba.

In Jeddah, pilgrims, especially Indonesians, are keen on visiting the famous Jeddah Corniche waterfront and the four mosques located along the waterfront, including the floating mosque. “I have heard about the Corniche for decades,” Sri Saladdin, an Indonesian, told Arab News.

“I would rather spend my time here than in downtown Jeddah, where I will be compelled to be stretched thin spending money on shopping,” he said.

Indonesians can be found in the dozens sitting on the sand near the mosque, while others can be seen selling ethnic food and herbal remedies to their countrymen and women. The surrounding area is filled with the odor of ethnic Indonesian food, which is often cooked in hazardous conditions.

Other Indonesians can be seen charging visitors SR10 to have a photo printed out on their Polaroids.

Large luxury buses can be seen parked nearby.

“There is hardly any space along the beach these days,” said Indian pilgrim Fazil Ahmed, who came to the waterfront, along with his mother and some relatives from Makkah.

Indonesian pilgrims start to arrive at the Corniche from 9 a.m. until around sunset.

They used to come around 11 a.m., but are coming earlier this year, according to cleaners who have been deployed in the area.

The city of Madinah, on the other hand, is a goldmine of historic events, including Islamic battles such as the famous “battle of the trench” (Khandaq) and Uhud.

Visitors can also view a cemetery for martyrs near Uhud mountain within the city’s borders.