Makkah
- Middle East
Mecca Agreement: What the Saudi-Turkiye-Pakistan pact means
Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in Makkah on Friday, August 7, under which an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be considered…
- Middle East
Watch: MBS, Erdogan, Shehbaz Sharif pray together in Makkah
Makkah: Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered Friday prayers, August 7, together at Qasr Al-Safa in Makkah…
- Middle East
‘Won’t bring security’: Iran on Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye pact
Islamabad: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on Friday, August 7, signed a joint defence agreement under which an attack on any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack…
- Middle East
Pakistan PM enters Kaaba, performs Umrah during Saudi visit
Makkah: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and members of his high-level delegation performed Umrah in Makkah early on Friday, August 7, during their official visit to Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister’s Office…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia launches umbrella challenge for pilgrims
Makkah: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has opened a challenge inviting innovators, designers, developers and specialised companies to develop innovative personal umbrellas that improve the experience of pilgrims performing Haj…
- Middle East
Makkah, Madinah rank among world’s top visitor cities
Saudi Arabia’s Pilgrim Experience Program (PEP) has highlighted major gains in pilgrim services and global tourism rankings, with Makkah and Madinah securing places among the world’s leading visitor destinations in its 2025…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia launches one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa
Makkah: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Haj and Umrah has introduced a one-year multiple-entry Umrah visa, allowing pilgrims to make multiple visits to the Kingdom during its 365-day validity. The new visa replaces…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia sees 22.5 pc surge in Umrah visa arrivals
Saudi Arabia has recorded a 22.5 per cent increase in Umrah visa arrivals during the opening weeks of the 1448 AH/2026 season, welcoming 931,500 pilgrims between Dhu Al-Hijjah 15 and the end…
- Middle East
1,000-year-old Ibn Al-Bawwab Quran manuscript on display in Makkah
Makkah: A rare Holy Quran manuscript penned more than 1,000 years ago by the celebrated calligrapher Ali bin Hilal, known as Ibn Al-Bawwab, is being exhibited at the “Iqra” Exhibition at the…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia wraps up Haj 2026, begins planning next season
Makkah: Saudi Arabia has concluded the Haj 2026 (1447 AH) season with the departure of the last group of pilgrims, marking the end of a large-scale operation that supported worshippers from their…
- Middle East
Inside Kaaba washing ceremony: Saudi showcases ceremonial tools
Makkah: Saudi Arabia has unveiled a specially designed toolkit used during the annual washing of the Holy Kaaba, highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts to preserve one of Islam’s oldest traditions while enhancing services…
- Entertainment
Rakhi Sawant reveals Haj plans; fans say ‘there’s no one like her’
Mumbai: Rakhi Sawant is one celebrity who can turn absolutely anything into a headline. Whether it is drama, controversy, laughter or an emotional moment, she has a way of keeping everyone talking.…
- Middle East
Watch: Ceremonial washing of Kaaba held at Makkah’s Grand Mosque
Makkah: The annual ceremonial washing of the Holy Kaaba was held on Tuesday, June 30, at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, continuing one of Islam’s oldest and most revered traditions. On behalf…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia to hold annual washing of Kaaba on June 30
Makkah: Saudi Arabia will hold the annual washing of the Holy Kaaba on Tuesday, June 30, corresponding to the 15th of Muharram, as one of the most significant religious ceremonies associated with…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia launches new portal for foreigners to buy property
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has unveiled a new digital platform allowing eligible foreign individuals, companies and investors, including Indians, to apply for property ownership in the Kingdom under the Foreign Real Estate Ownership…