Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 215
215 in either direction. It was made by camel, which is, under the best of circumstances, not the most comfortable or convenient mode of transport. A few years ago a macadamized road was completed through the desert between Jeddah (port and airport for Mecca) and Medina, and the journey can now be made by car in about six hours or by bus in the course of a day. More recently, local air services have also become available. The distance between Jeddah and Medina is, roughly, two hundred miles. Hudaibiyya, where the famous truce was concluded between the Prophet and the Meccans, lies along the road almost half way between Jeddah and Mecca, a short distance before the boundary of the Sanctuary is reached. The pilgrim proceeding from Jeddah to Mecca may make a brief stop at Hudaibiyya or at any other place on the way. The road from Jeddah to Mecca is in excellent condition. The distance, some forty miles, can be covered by car in about an hour and a half, and by bus in approximately two hours. The journey from Mecca to Medina has to be made by way of Jeddah, which is the real starting point for the journey. Two thirds of the way from Jeddah to Medina, a short distance to the left of the road, is the field of Badr, where the first battle with the Meccans was fought. This part of the road runs almost straight and level through the desert, parallel to the Red Sea. Beyond