Al-Jamal (Arabic for "the beauty") was initially an Earth colony, then a Federation one, located just outside the edge of the coreward side of Sector 001 (approximately 50 light-years from the Sol system). Its residents were predominantly Muslim and followed many traditions from the Qur'an. (Star Trek: Laughing Sawfish) At least one account has Al-Jamal as being only 20 light-years from Earth. (Dominion War Timeline: "The Ramadan Offensive: Ash-Sham Sector - August-September 2375") A major city of the colony was New Mecca.