al-, Arabic definite article, meaning the.  It often prefixes Arabic proper nouns, especially place-names; an example is Al-Jaz
+rah (Arabic: The Island ), the name of an interfluvial region in Sudan.

Place of revelation, Holy Mosque and Al-Ka'abah... Makkah has been mentioned in the Holy Qur'an in many names such as Makkah, Bakkah, Al-Balad Al-Amen, Al-Balad Al-Ameen, Al-Haram Al-Amen and Umm Al-Qura. Makkah embraces Al-Ka'abah and the Holy Mosque, which influenced the type of construction and inhabitants.