Best of 2017: Mecca Seen From Above and a Refreshing Dust Bath

ABOVE MECCA

The city of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, is the holiest site in the religion of Islam. Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the city, and each year, 15 million pilgrims make the trip to worship. The tower is the Makkah Royal Clock Tower, part of Abraj Al-Bait, a complex of skycraper hotels for worshippers to stay in. The clock tower is one of the tallest buildings in the world, and it sports the largest clock face—measuring 141 feet across.
PHOTOGRAPH BY AMMAR ALAMIR, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC YOUR SHOT