Saudi Arabia
- Middle East
Saudi skies witness rare ‘Strawberry Moon’ for the first time in 18 years
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders Region witnessed a rare celestial spectacle on Wednesday evening, June 11, with the rise of the full moon of Dhul-Hijjah, commonly referred to as…
- Middle East
Haj to be held in summer after 25 years, says Saudi govt
Saudi Arabia has announced that it will take 25 years for Haj to take place in summer season from now. The National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) stated that the next Haj will…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia resumes Umrah visas from June 10
Makkah: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has announced the resumption of Umrah visa issuance from Tuesday, June 10, a day after the conclusion of the Haj 1446 AH/2025 season. According to…
- Middle East
Telangana man missing in Saudi Arabia, family seeks govt help
Nirmal: A 40-year-old man from Telangana has been missing in Saudi Arabia for the past 15 days, and his family has appealed to the government for help in bringing him home safely.…
- Middle East
MEA denies Saudi Arabia’s block work visa suspension for Indians
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday termed media reports of Saudi Arabia suspending issuance of block work visas for citizens from 14 countries, including India, as “fake”, asserting…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia hails successful Haj 2025 season as pilgrims perform farewell tawaf
Makkah: Saudi Arabia has declared the Haj 1446 AH-2025 season a success, as pilgrims began performing the farewell tawaf (Tawaf al-Wida) at the Grand Mosque in Makkah after completing the major rituals…
- Featured News
Haj: Beyond the rituals
Hyderabad: There is more to Haj than meets the eye. It’s not just going through the paces – the tawaf (circumambulation), sa’ee (running between Safe-Marwa hillocks), and drinking from the fountain of Zam Zam. It’s not even…
- Middle East
After 12-year hiatus, 1st Saudi passenger flight lands in Damascus
Damascus: After a hiatus of more than 12 years, the first direct Saudi passenger flight, operated by Flynas, landed at Damascus International Airport on Thursday, June 5, arriving from Riyadh. The aircraft…
- Middle East
Eid Al Adha 2025: Pilgrims ‘stone the devil’ in final Haj ritual
Makkah: Haj pilgrims from across the world began performing the Jamarat—‘stoning of the devil’ ritual —on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, corresponding to Friday, June 6, marking the first day of Eid Al Adha. At…
- 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…
- 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
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 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…