medina currently has a population of more than 1,300,000 people (2006). the city was originally known as "yathrib", but later its name was changed to madīnat al-nabī (مدينة ﺍﻟﻨﺒﻲ "city of the prophet") or "al madīnah al munawwarah" ("the enlightened city" or "the radiant city"). the short form "madīnah" simply means "city". madina is the second holiest city of islam, after mecca (makkah).