Middle East

Jeddah, Sept 5: Nadima Abulaynain, 18, is setting the scene for women who are keen to cycle the streets of Jeddah. “I’ve liked riding a bicycle since I was a child,” the high school student told Arab News. “Why not spread interest in the activity and help other try it?” All she needed was a bicycle, a helmet and social media to start a cycling club. Abulaynain started with her family, encouraging

Jeddah, Sept 4: As Hajj winds down, congratulations poured in regarding the Saudi Arabian government’s efforts to assist pilgrims undertaking the journey of a lifetime. International media played a major role in communicating the success of this year’s pilgrimage — through many articles, videos and pictures — while the topic was trending on social media. Reactions from across the Arab and Islamic

Makkah, Sep 3: The security and control command center for Hajj installed nearly 6,000 digital cameras to monitor the movement of pilgrims at the holy sites to ensure their safety, according to the head of the center. In statements to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the head of the security and control command center for Hajj, Maj. Gen. Hassan Al-Zahrani, highlighted the work of those working in the

Makkah, Sept 3: Saudi King Salman on Saturday said the Kingdom has made great strides in protecting Muslim holy sites from terror attacks. “The arms of terrorism have sought to harm the holy sites without any consideration to their sanctities,” he said during a reception in Makkah for dignitaries attending the annual Hajj pilgrimage. “However, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — with Allah's help and in

Mina: After a spiritually intense day on the plains of Arafat, Hajj pilgrims returned to Mina on Friday, the first day of Eid. Making their way from Muzdalifa where they spent most of the night, 2 million pilgrims will undertake a number of rituals to complete their Hajj pilgrimage. Walking on Mina’s winding streets, pilgrims headed to the Jamarat with the help of volunteers and security officials

Doha, Aug 31: For the last 35 years, Mohammed Shafiq, a Qatari resident from Pakistan, has been working hard to finance his once-in-a-lifetime trip to Mecca. But his dream of performing the Hajj this year is fading fast. In June, Saudi Arabia, which oversees and manages Islam's two holiest sites in Mecca and Medina, along with the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain severed diplomatic ties

Popular Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal visited Thumbay Hospital - Dubai on Tuesday, 29th August 2017. The actor was at the hospital to meet and greet his fans as part of the promotion of his new film. Arjun was welcomed at the hospital by members of the administrative team of Thumbay Hospital Dubai. Accompanied by them, the actor toured the modern facilities of the hospital. He also visited the

Mina, Aug 30: Agencies involved in Hajj preparations are ready to serve more than 2 million pilgrims, a senior Saudi official said. Pilgrims have arrived in preparation for the “Day of Tarwiyah,” which falls today, said Interior Ministry Spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki. He said the Hajj plan would serve over 2 million pilgrims, including 1,747,440 who have already arrived from abroad and

Jeddah, Aug 29: The General Directorate of Passports announced on Monday that up till now, the number of guests of Allah coming from abroad has reached 1,735,391. Maj. Gen. Sulaiman Al-Yahya explained during a press conference held in Jeddah that the number of pilgrims coming by air was 1,631,979; 88,585 by land; and 14,585 by sea. He said that the Saudi leadership was keen on facilitating the

Jeddah/Baghdad, Aug 28: Saudi Arabia on Sunday congratulated the government and the people of Iraq for liberating Tal Afar from Daesh terrorists. The loss of Tal Afar, in northern Iraq between Mosul and the Syrian border, will deprive Daesh of what was once a significant hub for movement between the Syrian and Iraqi components of the self-styled “caliphate” it declared three years ago. An official