Middle East

Riyadh, Sep 17: Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh condemned violence against non-Muslims living in Islamic countries as well as attacks on Muslims after labeling them as infidels. In a statement carried on Monday by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Grand Mufti warned against dangers of takfeeri ideology (the practice of one Muslim declaring another as an unbeliever). “Given the dangerous

Riyadh, Sep 16: Saudi Arabia ranks fourth in hosting the largest number of foreign manpower worldwide, according to a study published by the Population Division of the United Nations. There are 9.1 million foreign workers in the Kingdom. The report pointed out that most of the expat workers have been living outside their home countries for an extended period of time. The United States ranked first

Jeddah, Sep 15: In a major initiative to prevent floods and loss of life during Haj, a Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) team has urged the authorities to ensure all rainwater drainage systems are in good working order and not blocked by pilgrims and Haj operators in Mina. The team presented an action plan on flood safety recently to Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who is also chairman of the

Jeddah, Sep 15: The Haj pilgrim transportation sector is in a dilemma. In a bid to provide employment to Saudi youth, the Ministry of Labor has made it mandatory for transport companies to hire only Saudis as bus drivers during the Haj season. However, there is an acute shortage of Saudi applications for the vacant positions despite the incentives and attractive packages offered by transport

Abu Dhabi, Sep 14: UAE football enters a new era with a rebranded League — the Arabian Gulf League (AGL), which kick-off on Saturday. And if early pointers are anything to go by, this may yet be the most open football season in the UAE top flight. There are the usual suspects to the throne, but expect a few surprises along the way. Dubai’s Al Ahli, Abu Dhabi’s Al Jazira, Bani Yas may be looking to

Jeddah, Sep 13: A new electronic crowd management system adopted by the Ministry of Haj has been instrumental in drastically reducing the number of pilgrims overstaying their Umrah visas this year, Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar has said. “Most of the 5.13 million pilgrims who came for Umrah this year have left the Kingdom. Only 11,000 of them now remain in the country and we hope they leave before

Seoul, Sep 12: The global oil market is well balanced and top exporter Saudi Arabia ready to supply whatever volume of crude is needed to meet demand, Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali Al-Naimi said. Saudi Arabia produced record high volumes of crude in August as it boosted output for the second time in two years to cushion the global oil market from supply disruptions. Al-Naimi’s

Riyadh, Sep 12: Saudi Arabia is deploying local and international resources to contain the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), says a top health official. His remarks came as the Ministry of Health confirmed the 100th MERS case in the Kingdom. The ministry has pledged to double its efforts to control the spread of the disease through continuous surveillance across the Kingdom

Jeddah, Sep 11: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal announced plans to develop Souk Okaz, located in the summer resort of Taif, into a full-fledged tourist center on Tuesday, opening its doors throughout the year and not only during the holiday seasons. He emphasized the role of Souk Okaz in promoting creativity among Saudis. “It’s a venue for people to present their creativity and exchange their

Jeddah, Sep 10: Foreign mothers of Saudi children will be given permanent residence in the Kingdom without sponsors, the Council of Ministers said on Monday. They will also receive educational and health services like other Saudis. The Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, made this important decision upon the recommendation of Foreign Minister Prince