Outrage after Saudi Arabia’s state oil firm forces worker to dress up as a human hand gel dispenser Images shared online show Saudi Aramco worker dressed as hand gel dispenser Act criticised with social media users saying it is ‘humiliating’ and ‘disgusting’ Firm said practice ‘immediately’ stopped and measures taken to prevent repeat By Faith Ridler … Read more
Saudi Arabia reopens Mecca’s Grand Mosque but bars people from touching the cuboid Kaaba shrine after it was closed for disinfecting over coronavirus Saudi Arabia closed the Grand Mosque in Mecca, one of the holiest sites in Islam, this week to disinfect it The mosque was reopened Saturday, but people were blocked from touching the … Read more
As another year draws to a close, it’s time to spin the globe and think about where we might travel in 2020. The good news is the choices have never been better, as airlines launch new routes, destinations stage major events, and hotels and tour operators create original and enticing experiences. This year the Foreign … Read more
The High Court in London has published rulings relating to the legal battle between Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his former wife Princess Haya bint Al Hussain of Jordan. Here is a timeline of events in the case. July 15, 1949 – Sheikh Mohammed is born in Dubai. May 3, 1974 … Read more
The impact of coronavirus, as seen from space: Satellite images reveal the effects the disease has had – from empty theme parks to deserted streets The Grand Mosque in Mecca and a holy shrine in Qom are missing their usually huge crowds of pilgrims Tourists are also absent from Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, Milan’s Piazza del … Read more
The central courtyard of the Great Mosque of Mecca was completely closed on Thursday as workers disinfected it in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus. Photos and videos showed the area around the cuboid Kaaba – the holiest site in Islam – completely deserted except for cleaners in near-unprecedented scenes. It comes after … Read more
Saudi Arabia suspends year-round umrah pilgrimage to stop coronavirus spreading to holy Islamic sites The umrah draws more than 18.3million Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia per year Many people choose to undertake it during Ramadan, which starts in April But it has now been suspended as Saudi Arabia tries to keep out coronavirus By Afp … Read more
Saudi Arabia finally BANS religious pilgrims from visiting Mecca or Medina to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the Kingdom Statement issued this evening by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom Will be supporting other countries and will abide by ‘international standards’ Temporarily suspended entry into the Kingdom for the purpose of Umrah … Read more