Although the main focus of Islamic pilgrimage is centred on the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Jerusalem in particular, has always been a key destination for Muslim pilgrims. Indeed, Jerusalem (al-Quds) is considered the third Holiest City in Islam. Allah himself blessed the city in the Qur'an and appointed her as the first qibla of Islam, meaning that it was Jerusalem, and not Mecca, that served as the spiritual as well as geographical focus for Muslims' prayers during the early years of Islam.