The Hejaz or Hijaz (Arabic الحجاز al-Hijaz, DMG al-Ḥiǧāz) is a mountainous region in western Saudi Arabia where the two holy sites of Islam, Mecca and Medina, are located.
Hejaz was the starting point of Islam in the 7th century under Muhammad, which expanded over large parts of the Middle East and North Africa after the founding of the Caliphate. However, the country lost its political importance very soon when the Umayyads moved their residence to Damascus in 661.
Over six million people live in Hejaz, predominantly Sunni Arabs. Among the Arab population of the region, Hiǧāzi, a peculiar dialect of Arabic, is widespread. The most important cities are Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, Ta’if, Tabuk, Yanbu, al-Wajh and Rabigh.
