Virtual Reality Experience Recreates Ancient Makkah and Madina
A pioneering virtual reality experience showcased at the Sharjah International Book Fair is allowing visitors to explore the Holy Kaaba and witness life in Makkah and Madina as it existed more than 1,400 years ago. The project, developed by Ana Al Madina, combines historical research with advanced digital technology to create an immersive journey that transports participants back to the formative years of Islam.
As users put on their headsets, they are greeted by a view of the Earth from space before gradually descending to ancient Makkah. The journey begins in the city’s heart, at the time of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth. The Kaaba, built with unrefined stones and surrounded by idols, stands at the centre, while the city’s narrow lanes and bustling markets offer a vivid recreation of daily life. The simulation depicts traders at work, locals walking through crowded streets, and an accompanying narration describes the social and cultural context of the era, including the treatment of women and children before the advent of Islam.
The experience moves through key events in the Prophet’s early life, including his retreat in the Cave of Hira, where the first revelation took place. Through lifelike visuals and ambient sound, users feel as though they are physically present in the cave, able to reach out and touch its rocky walls. The narration explains how the message of Islam began and how it transformed the moral and social landscape of Arabia.
The creators of the project designed it with the goal of education and inspiration. The intention is to enable people to understand better the early Islamic world, its culture, traditions, and the way communities interacted. By using virtual reality as a storytelling medium, the project seeks to bridge historical knowledge with emotional engagement, making history accessible to audiences of all ages.
As the experience progresses, viewers witness the rise of the first Muslim community, with scenes depicting the early followers and the gradual transformation of Makkah after Islam’s message spread. Eventually, the simulation transitions to modern-day Makkah, where users stand before the Kaaba as it exists today. The headset even allows them to step inside the sacred site, observing its golden lamps and the serene beauty of its interior. The combination of visual detail and spiritual symbolism has left many participants visibly moved, with some describing the sensation as profoundly emotional.
Another section of the virtual journey takes visitors to Madina, following the Prophet’s migration and the establishment of the first Muslim community. The simulation presents the construction of Masjid Al Nabawi and glimpses of the Prophet’s home and daily life. These scenes portray how the new society was built on principles of compassion, equality, and justice, reflecting the values that shaped the early Muslim community.
The creators believe this immersive journey helps connect people to faith through understanding. The project’s purpose extends beyond visual recreation; it aims to evoke the values and emotions of a time that transformed human history. By merging technological innovation with spiritual storytelling, the experience encourages visitors to reflect on the timeless lessons of peace and unity that originated in those sacred cities.
Through this virtual reality experience, the past becomes a living, breathing world, one that offers both education and inspiration. It allows modern audiences to step into history, not as distant observers, but as participants who can see, hear, and feel the beginnings of a faith that continues to shape millions of lives around the globe.
