Time Zone |
Asia/Dili |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+9 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Time Zone |
Asia/Riyadh |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+3 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Same, the capital of Timor-Leste's Ainaro District, is located about 50 kilometers south of the capital, Dili, in the mountainous interior and is an important agricultural and transportation hub for the country. It is known for its coffee farming, surrounded by terraced fields that produce Timor-Leste's premium Arabica coffee beans. Historically, Samu was an important stronghold during Timor-Leste's War of Independence, and remnants of the resistance movement still remain in the area, attracting history buffs to explore. The surrounding area is rich in natural beauty and close to Mount Ramelau, Timor-Leste's highest peak, making it a stopover for hiking enthusiasts. A blend of traditional Timacu culture and modern townscape, Samu offers a unique look at the interior of Timor-Leste.
Located in the Hijaz region of western Saudi Arabia, Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and is off limits to non-Muslims. As the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the birthplace of Islam, Mecca is the center of daily worship for more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide. The heart of the city is the Forbidden Mosque and its inner Kerbai, believed to have been built by the Prophet Ibrahim's father and son, and is the central location for Muslims to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.
Every year in the month of December of the Islamic calendar, millions of Muslims come to perform the Hajj, which is the fifth major Islamic duty. Mecca's city was built to expand outward from the Forbidden Mosque, with modern facilities such as the Abraj Al-Beit Clock Tower to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. The city's economy is almost entirely dependent on Hajj-related activities, and it lacks historical monuments (which have been rebuilt several times as a result of events in early Islamic history), but its religious status is irreplaceable.
Mecca is not only a center of religious observance, but also symbolizes the unity of the Muslim world. The Saudi government has continued to undertake major expansions to enhance the Hajj experience and safety. Despite its high degree of modernization, Mecca has always retained its sanctity, and for Muslims around the globe, a visit to Mecca is the culmination of a once-in-a-lifetime religious obligation and spiritual journey.