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The Latest Breaking News from Makkah

It is a scene that stirs hope - and relief - for Muslims around the world. One million pilgrims from across the globe amassed on Thursday in the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia to perform the initial rites of the Hajj, marking the largest Islamic pilgrimage since the…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia Expecting 1 Million in Largest Hajj Since Pandemic

One million Muslim pilgrims were converging on Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Makkah on Wednesday for the largest Hajj since the coronavirus pandemic severely curtailed access to one of Islam’s five pillars. Saudi Arabia’s decision to allow some 850,000 Muslims from abroad to make the annual pilgrimage, which begins on…

Asharq Al-Awsat

What is Hajj and why do Muslims go to Makkah?

Muslims from around the world descend upon Makkah for the annual Hajj pilgrimage- here’s all you need to know

The Independent UK

From analysis to the latest developments in health,
read the most diverse news in one place.

What is Hajj and why do Muslims go to Makkah?

Muslims from around the world descend upon Makkah for the annual Hajj pilgrimage- here’s all you need to know

The Independent UK

Makkah Businesses See Hajj Boom Ending Pandemic Slump

"Business is back", exclaims Abdullah Mekhlafi at the shop where he sells prayer mats in Islam's holiest city, which is preparing for the biggest influx of hajj pilgrims since the coronavirus pandemic began. Two years of drastic restrictions on the number of pilgrims who could perform the hajj emptied shops…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia: Integrated Services, Initiatives to Measure Hajj Pilgrim Satisfaction

Saudi Arabia has adopted the Makkah Road initiative to facilitate entry procedures for Hajj pilgrims and to allow them to easily access their places of residence through dedicated paths, part of its continuous efforts to develop services during the holy season. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has also concluded…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Khalid al-Faisal to Asharq Al-Awsat: Spiteful Parties Are Undermining Saudi Role in Holding the Hajj

Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Governor of the Makkah Region and President of the Central Hajj Committee, is overseeing the preparations to hold this year’s holy Hajj pilgrimage. He presided over a meeting of the Central Hajj Committee at Mina, extending his gratitude…

Asharq Al-Awsat

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First Beneficiaries of Makkah Route Initiative from Pakistan Arrive in Jeddah

The first batch of the pilgrims who benefited from the Makkah Route Initiative from Pakistan arrived in Jeddah on Thursday, reported the Saudi Press Agency. The Makkah Route Initiative in Pakistan for 2022 is a continuation of Saudi efforts in facilitating Hajj, and the keenness of the Custodian of the…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia Lifts All Covid-Related Restrictions

Saudi Arabia announced on Monday the lifting of all restrictions related to the coronavirus. Masks will still be required at Islam's holiest sites in Makkah and Madinah, where pilgrims gather for worship, according to the new rules. Organizers of events and festivals can continue to require masks if they wish.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia Receives First Foreign Hajj Pilgrims since before Pandemic

Saudi Arabia on Saturday welcomed its first batch of Hajj pilgrims since before the coronavirus pandemic, which prompted authorities to sharply restrict the annual ritual. The group from Indonesia landed in the city of Madinah and was set to travel south to the holy city of Makkah in the coming…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Walking all the way to Makkah for Haj

Malappuram native will traverse 8,600 km on foot, reach Makkah next year

The Hindu

Saudi King Performs Eid Prayer at the Grand Mosque

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, performed on Monday the Eid Al-Fitr prayer with a group of worshippers who crowded the courtyard of the Grand Mosque and its surroundings in Makkah. Upon his arrival at the Royal Court in Al-Safa Palace, the King…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Eid Al-Fitr Prayer Performed in Makkah and Madinah

Muslims performed Eid Al-Fitr prayer in Makkah and Madinah on Monday morning. In Makkah, the prayer was performed at the Grand Holy Mosque and led by Imam of the Grand Mosque Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid. In Madinah, the prayer was performed at the Prophet’s Holy Mosque.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Over 40,000 People Visit Holy Quran in Exhibition in Makkah

The Holy Quran Exhibition, held in the holy city of Makkah, has attracted over 40,000 visitors since its opening 12 days ago, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday. The exhibition is organized by the General Secretariat for Exhibitions and Conferences, in cooperation with the King Fahd Complex for the…

Asharq Al-Awsat

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Asharq Al-Awsat

King Salman Receives Kuwait's National Assembly Speaker, Imams of Grand Mosque

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz received in Makkah on Saturday Speaker of Kuwait's National Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanim, reported the Saudi Press Agency. King Salman also received Advisor at the Royal Court, Member of the Council of Senior Scholars, Member of Permanent Committee for Ifta and…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi King Salman Arrives in Makkah

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, arrived in Makkah on Friday coming from Jeddah. At Al-Safa palace, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was received by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Arrives in Jeddah

The Pakistani Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, arrived in Jeddah on Friday, the Saudi Press Agency reported. At King Abdulaziz International Airport, he was received by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Governor of Makkah Region, the Minister of State and Cabinet Member Dr.…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia Completes Umrah Preparations for Final Days of Ramadan

Saudi Arabia has completed preparations to welcome more worshippers and Umrah pilgrims during the final days of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Undersecretary-General for Tafweej and Crowds Management, Osama bin Mansour Al-Hujaili said the preparations and services offered at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah are…

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Asharq Al-Awsat

3 Million Iftar Meals Distributed at Grand Mosque During 20 Days of Ramadan

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has handed out over 3,000,000 iftar meals in the courtyards of the Grand Mosque during the first 20 days of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Friday. The meals are…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Crown Prince Meets with Senegal's President in Jeddah

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, held talks with President of Senegal Macky Sall in Jeddah on Friday, reported the Saudi Press Agency. They discussed bilateral relations between their countries and ways to develop them. They also tackled bilateral cooperation and issues of…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Law on Real Estate Ownership and Investment by Non-Saudis Amended to Boost Competitiveness

Saudi Arabia amended the Law on Real Estate Ownership and Investment by non-Saudis to increase and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the procedures and controls related to the ownership or use of real estate by foreigners, who enjoy natural and legal capacity in cities and economic zones in the…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia Expands Hajj to 1 Mln Pilgrims

Saudi Arabia will let up to 1 million people join the Hajj pilgrimage this year, greatly expanding the key event to participants from outside the Kingdom, state media said on Saturday. Pilgrims to Makkah this year must be under age 65 and fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, the ministry of…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Newspaper 'Umm Al-Qura' Celebrates its 100th Anniversary

Umm Al-Qura, the first Arabic language Saudi daily newspaper based in Makkah, is celebrating its centennial under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and in the presence of Makkah Region Governor Prince Khalid bin Faisal and a group of princes, ministers, literature experts and intellectuals. Invitations to the celebratory…

Asharq Al-Awsat

King Salman Sponsors 'Umm al-Qura' Centennial on Wednesday

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz will sponsor on Wednesday the centennial celebration of the Umm al-Qura newspaper. Governor of the Makkah region Prince Khalid al-Faisal will represent King Salman at the event, which is being held by the Media Ministry. The Kingdom's official gazette, Umm…

Asharq Al-Awsat

OIC, MWL Welcome UN Classification of Houthis as Terrorist Group

The Organization of Islamic cooperation (OIC) and the Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL) have welcomed the decision of the UN Security Council to classify Yemen’s Houthi militias as a terrorist group. The Jeddah-based OIC expressed hope that this decision would contribute to putting an end to the terrorist acts of…

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