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Medina, or Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, is a city in western Saudi Arabia with a rich history that is considered the "cradle of Islamic culture and civilization": 135 CE: Jews settle an oasis that would later become Medina 622 CE: The Prophet Muhammad flees Mecca to Medina, known as the Hijrah, and establishes the Muslim community there. He renames the city Medina, which means "city", and makes it the capital of the Islamic state. 622–630 CE: Medina serves as a refuge for Muhammad's infant Muslim community while they are removed from Mecca. The Medinan Period, the last ten years of Muhammad's life, is marked by significant battles, such as the Battle of Badr and the Battle of the Trench. During this time, Muslims grow from a small, persecuted group to a powerful force that controls most of the Arabian Peninsula. 661 CE: Medina is no longer the capital of the Islamic state, which is superseded by Damascus. 1517–1804: Medina is held by the Ottoman Empire. 1804: The Wahhābiyyah seizes Medina, but is retaken by an Ottoman-Egyptian force in 1812. 1914–18: Ottoman rule ends during World War I. 1925: Medina falls to the forces of Ibn Saʿūd. Medina is the second holiest city in Islam and is often visited by Muslims as part of the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The city is home to many mosques, including the Prophet's Mosque, which contains Muhammad's tomb and is a popular destination for pilgrims. Other landmarks of religious significance include Mount Uhud, Al-Baqi' cemetery, and the Seven Mosques.