Middle East

Dubai, Aug 18: As many as 287 people of different nationalities embraced Islam in Dubai during the holy month of Ramadan, according to the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities. Department director-general Dr Hamad Al Shaibani said they spared no effort in helping new Muslims, particularly providing courses and activities for them and their family members. “The department also

Cairo, Aug 17: Gunfire was on Saturday heard at a Cairo mosque where hundreds of supporters of deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy were engaged in a tense standoff with security forces, even as the death toll in fierce street clashes rose to nearly 180. Gunshots were heard at Al-Fatah mosque near Ramses Square in central Cairo, where security forces in riot gear have surrounded pro-Morsy

Makkah, Aug 17: Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar has denied allegations that some countries had raised objections to the 20 percent reduction in the allocation of number of pilgrims allowed for Haj. Hajjar said the ministry had finalized the allocation of the number of pilgrims that can be accommodated for Haj for various countries, because of the ongoing expansion works undertaken in the Grand Mosque

Cairo, Aug 16: Deeply polarized Egypt braced for renewed confrontation on Friday after the Muslim Brotherhood called for a nationwide march of millions to show anger at a ferocious security crackdown on Islamists in which hundreds were killed. Defying criticism from major Western allies, Egypt's army-backed government warned it would turn its guns on anyone who attacked the police or public

Madinah, Aug 13: The demolition of over two-thirds of buildings surrounding the Prophet's Mosque from the east have been completed for the mosque’s grand expansion ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The demolition work started early July and has been continuing ever since. So far, 10 big buildings have been demolished, including the Awkaf building, the Al-Wiladah mosque

Jeddah, Aug 12: The rising prices of gold during the past two weeks caused stagnation in the Saudi market, and pushed gold merchants to activate sales because factories didn’t halt their production, according to the National Committee for Precious Metals. The price of the precious metal has registered the second weekly decline, while the dollar has recovered from its lowest value since seven weeks

Cairo, Aug 9: Millions of Muslims paid respects at ancestral graves, shared festive family meals and visited beaches and amusement parks Thursday to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, but violence and political tension overshadowed holiday joy in hotspots like Egypt, Yemen and Afghanistan. The three-day Eid Al-Fitr holiday, which caps Ramadan, also highlighted the long-running divide

Riyadh, Dubai, Aug 7: Shawwal moon has been sighted in the UAE and tomorrow (Thursday) is Eid Al Fitr, the UAE Moon Sighting Committee said. Eid Al Fitr moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia and tomorrow is the first day of Shawwal, Geo TV reported quoting an official statement. Oman announced that Shawwal moon has not been sighted and Eid Al Fitr will be marked on Friday. Earlier Story Meeting of

Dubai, Aug 6: This year’s Ramadan could end in 28 days as Saudi’s supreme court has asked Muslims across the country to look for the new moon today evening. Sighting the moon later today would mean Muslims could celebrate Eid Ul Fitr on Wednesday which would correct an earlier moon-sighting error. According to newspapers in Saudi, a statement issued by the court read, “Those who witness the moon

Makkah, Aug 6: Two million worshippers spent the 27th night of the holy month of Ramadan in the Grand Mosque seeking God's blessings. High security and integrated services contributed to a smooth flow of movement among worshippers filing in and out of the Grand Mosque. Security forces were deployed for crowd management, in addition to a special emergency force, the security force for Haj and Umrah