Take a closer look at the Black Stone of Mecca

While Prophet Abraham was building the Kaaba, the angel Gabriel came down and gave him the famous Black Stone, which he placed in the eastern corner of the structure.

The stone was said to be white but over the years turned black because of people’s sins.

Part of the Hajj pilgrimage entails kissing or touching the stone after every Tawaf – or encircling – of the Kaaba. But due to the sheer number of pilgrims visiting every year, it is acceptable enough to wave at it from a distance.

Read this article in Arabic on AlArabiya.net