- Middle East
Over 1.67 million pilgrims perform Haj this year
Makkah: A total of 1,673,230 pilgrims are performing Haj 1446 AH–2025 in Saudi Arabia, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Of these, 1,506,576 arrived from abroad, while 166,654 are from…
- Offbeat
UAE: Indian banker wins Rs 11.68 lakh in Big Ticket draw
Abu Dhabi: A 37-year-old United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Indian banker has won a staggering Dirham 50,000 (Rs 11,68,702) Big Ticket weekly e-draw held in Abu Dhabi. The winner, Mustafa Mohammed, secured the…
- Middle East
Haj 2025: Sheikh bin Humaid delivers heartfelt Arafat sermon, prays for Palestine, unity and safety
As part of Haj 2025, Sheikh Dr Saleh bin Humaid, imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, delivered the Arafat Day sermon at Namira Mosque on Thursday, June 5, addressing over a…
- Photos
Photos: Haj pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat
Makkah: Pilgrims from around the world gathered at Mount Arafat from early Thursday morning, June 5, to offer prayers and supplications on the most significant day of the Haj amid soaring temperatures.…
- Middle East
UAE to ban single-use plastic products by 2026
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will enforce a comprehensive ban on the import, production, and trade of single-use plastic products starting from January 1, 2026. The announcement was made by Dr Amna…
- Middle East
Haj 2025: 53 expats caught entering Makkah illegally
Makkah: The Haj Security Forces have arrested 53 expatriates for violating Haj regulations and instructions by attempting to enter the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and perform Haj without a permit on…
- Middle East
Haj 2025: Over 1.5 million pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat
At dawn on Thursday, June 5 — the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah — more than 1.5 million pilgrims from around the world converged on Mount Arafat, to perform the most significant ritual of…
- Middle East
Haj pilgrims urged to stay in tents on Arafat Day to prevent heat exhaustion
Makkah: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Haj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, has urged pilgrims to remain inside their tents from 10am to 4pm on the Day of Arafat, Thursday, June…
- Photos
Photos: Haj 2025 begins
Makkah: Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from across the world coverged on the tent city of Mina on Wednesday, June 4, as Haj 2025 officially began. The pilgrims began arriving in Mina…
- Middle East
Influencer’s viral video on Dubai Mall dress code gains praise from Sheikh Hamdan
Dubai: A viral video of Dubai-based content creator Jacquelyn May promoting modest dressing at Dubai Mall has attracted millions of views and likes — including one from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin…
- Middle East
UAE leaders order release of over 3,000 prisoners ahead of Eid Al Adha
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) leaders have ordered the release of 3,135 prisoners from correctional facilities in the country ahead of the Eid Al Adha festival. This humanitarian gesture offers…
- Middle East
Pilgrims flock to Mina as Haj 2025 begins
Hundreds of thousands of white-clad pilgrims from across the world began arriving in Mina, Saudi Arabia, from early on Wednesday, June 4, to spend the Day of Tarwiyah, marking the beginning of…
- Middle East
Cooling, care and control: Inside Saudi Arabia’s Haj 2025 preparations
As Haj 1446 AH–2025 approaches, Saudi authorities have unveiled a comprehensive suite of services and technological advancements to ensure the comfort, safety, and well-being of millions of pilgrims arriving from across the…
- Middle East
Haj 2025: Pilgrims perform Tawaf Al-Qudum
Makkah: Hundreds of thousands of Haj pilgrims at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, started performing on Tuesday evening, June 3, the ritual of Tawaf Al-Qudum (Tawaf of Arrival), before moving…
- Middle East
Haj 2025: Arafat day sermon to be translated in 35 languages
Makkah: The General Presidency for Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has launched an initiative to translate Arafat Day sermon into 35 languages, reaching approximately five million Muslims…
