Saudi Arabia
- Middle East
Makkah completes preparations for Ramzan 2026 amid expected Umrah rise
Makkah: The Holy Makkah Municipality has confirmed it is fully prepared for Ramzan 1447 AH/2026, launching a comprehensive operational plan to handle the expected increase in Umrah pilgrims and visitors during the…
- Middle East
Saudi King calls for rain-seeking prayers on Feb 12
Riyadh: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has called for rain-seeking (Istisqa) prayers to be performed across Saudi Arabia on Thursday, February 12. In a…
- Middle East
India presents indigenous defence skills at Saudi Arabia’s World Defence Show
New Delhi: At its first-ever pavilion at the World Defence Show in Saudi Arabia, India showcased the country’s manufacturing prowess as demonstrated by defence public sector undertakings and private Indian companies. Minister…
- Middle East
New image shows Jeffrey Epstein with sacred Kaaba cloth
Days after it was reported that pieces of Kiswa, the sacred cloth covering the Kaaba in Makkah, was shipped to American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a new image has…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia to begin issuing visas for Haj 2026 from Feb 8
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Friday, February 6, announced that it will issue visas for Haj 2026 from Sunday, February 8. According to the Ministry, the Haj visas are…
- Middle East
From desert to database: Saudi Arabia launches digital camel passport
Saudi Arabia has launched camel passports in a push to digitise the camel sector by marking their identity and ownership and enhancing service efficiency. According to the Ministry of Environment, Water and…
- Middle East
Saudi suspends Haj, Umrah travel agencies for not meeting standards
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has suspended contracts with 1,800 travel agencies due to performance shortcomings, the Ministry of Haj and Umrah announced on Sunday, February 1. Nearly 5,800 travel agencies operate in the…
- Middle East
Architectural exhibition on Prophet’s Mosque opens to visitors in Madinah
An exhibition tracing the architectural history of the Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) mosque has opened in Madinah in Saudi Arabia, giving visitors a closer look at how the landmark has evolved over the…
- Middle East
Saudi Arabia launches projects worth SAR 2.5 bn in Makkah, Jeddah
The Deputy Emir of Makkah, Prince Saud bin Mishaal, on Wednesday, January 28, launched 17 development projects worth SAR 2.5 billion in Makkah and Jeddah with an aim to improve the infrastructure…
- India
Special emergency hand bands for Haj pilgrims to improve safety: UP minister
Ballia: Uttar Pradesh minister Danish Azad Ansari on Sunday said Haj pilgrims this year will be given a special hand band with an emergency button, which will allow authorities to monitor them…
- Middle East
78 million people visit Makkah, Madinah in one month
The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques on Wednesday, January 21, announced that 78,843,425 people visited Makkah and Madinah in the month of Rajab (the seventh month of…
- Middle East
Saudi, seven other nations agree to join Trump’s ‘Gaza Board of Peace’
Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have accepted United States President Donald Trump’s invitation to join the “Gaza Board of Peace”…
- Middle East
Indian CBSE–Saudi curriculum school to open soon in Madinah
Madinah: In a significant development for expat families, a school offering a combined Indian Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Saudi curriculum is set to open in Madinah from the 2026–2027…
- Middle East
Shaaban moon not seen in Saudi Arabia: When will Ramzan 2026 begin?
Riyadh: The crescent moon, which marks the beginning of Shaaban 1447 AH-2026, was not sighted in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, January 18. As a result, Monday, January 19, will be observed as…
- Bollywood
Shah Rukh Khan wins hearts at Joy Awards 2026, praises Saudi Arabia’s hospitality
Shah Rukh Khan once again proved why he is called the King of Bollywood. The superstar stole the spotlight at the Joy Awards 2026 held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, turning the grand…
