Grand Mosque
- Middle East
Watch: Siren heard alongside Azaan at Grand Mosque in Makkah
Makkah: A siren warning of an aerial threat was heard alongside the Azaan for Dhuhr prayer at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, September 15, in a video shared…
- Middle East
Watch: Worshippers brave heavy rain at Grand Mosque in Makkah
Makkah: Heavy rain swept across Makkah on Sunday, September 13, as worshippers gathered at the Grand Mosque for Maghrib prayer, with footage showing people continuing their prayers despite the downpour. Hail was…
- Middle East
Grand Mosque set to become among world’s smartest places by 2030
Makkah: Saudi authorities are working towards making the Grand Mosque in Makkah among the world’s smartest places by 2030, as digital systems reshape services and operations for pilgrims and visitors. Dr Mohammed…
- Middle East
Watch: Lightning hits Makkah Clock Tower as pilgrims pray in rain
Makkah: A video showing a lightning strike at Makkah’s iconic Clock Tower went viral across social media platforms as thunderstorms and rain swept across the holy city on Wednesday evening, August 26.…
- 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
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 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…
- 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
Makkah: Saudi Arabia announces Hateem entry timings
Makkah: Saudi Arabia has announced designated entry timings for worshippers wishing to offer voluntary prayers in the Hateem, also known as Hijr Ismail, the semi-circular area adjacent to the Holy Kaaba inside…
- Middle East
Kaaba Kiswah changed as new Islamic year 1448 begins
Makkah: The Kiswah of the Kaaba (Ghilaf-e-Kaaba) at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, has been changed in an intricate annual ritual. The ceremony took place Tuesday morning, June 16, the…
- Middle East
New Kiswah ready for annual replacement of Kaaba
Makkah: Saudi Arabia has completed the new Kiswah, the black silk covering of the Holy Kaaba, ahead of its annual replacement at the Grand Mosque in Makkah with the start of the…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia: Over 11 million pilgrims perform Umrah in Q4 2025
Makkah: Saudi Arabia recorded more than 11 million Umrah performers during the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025, reflecting sustained demand for pilgrimage travel and religious tourism across the Kingdom. According to a…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia suspends 21 Umrah companies over poor performance
Makkah: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Haj and Umrah has suspended 21 Umrah service companies after performance evaluations revealed shortcomings in service quality and breaches of regulations governing the sector. The ministry said…
