Muhammad's flight to Medina results in founding of Islam

The prophet Muhammad escapes death by completing the Hegira, or flight, to Medina from Mecca on this day. Mecca is the holy centre of Islam and the birthplace of Muhammad, the religion’s great prophet and founder. In 610, in a cave in Mount Hira, north of Mecca, Muhammad had a vision in which God commanded him to become the prophet of the true religion.

He gained a significant following in Mecca, provoking the jealous city authorities to plot his death. Muhammad escaped and on 24th September 622, arrived at Medina. There, Muhammad founded Islam as a religion and organised community, and in 630 he returned to Mecca as a conqueror. The Hegira would later mark the beginning (year 1) of the Muslim calendar.