Masked haj pilgrims on Mount Arafat pray for COVID-free world

July 22nd, 20210 MT. ARAFAT — Thousands of face-masked Muslims gathered on Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat on Monday, praying for an end to the pandemic and faster vaccination as the annual haj pilgrimage reached its climax. Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites in Mecca and Medina, has barred worshippers from abroad for a second year running and...

Saudi Arabia considers barring overseas Hajj pilgrims for second year, sources say

May 5th, 20210 RIYADH – Saudi Arabia is considering barring overseas pilgrims from the annual Hajj for the second year running as COVID-19 cases rise globally and worries grow about the emergence of new variants, two sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Such a move would restrict the pilgrimage to Mecca, a once in a lifetime duty...

Saudi’s suspend pilgrimages, Coronavirus widespread in Iran

March 4th, 20200 RIYADH -  Saudi Arabia has extended its suspension of travel to the holy sites of Mecca and Medina from foreigners to Saudi citizens and residents, after it reported its first case of the novel coronavirus in an individual who failed to disclose he had travelled to Iran before entering the country. “Based on the recommendations of...

As coronavirus spreads to the Middle East, governments struggle to contain the outbreak

February 28th, 20200 DUBAI - Coronavirus cases have now been confirmed in at least nine countries in the Middle East, with the largest number of deaths in Iran, and six countries reporting first infections this past week.  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first country in the Middle East to report a confirmed case of the virus, officially known as...

Pilgrims pray and give praise as haj winds down in Mecca

August 25th, 20180 MINA, Saudi Arabia — More than two million haj pilgrims headed back to Mecca for final prayers on Thursday as organizers said the world’s largest annual gathering of Muslims had gone smoothly in the face of political tensions and huge logistical challenges. Senior Saudi officials said the rituals - which have been marred in the...

Arab artist debuts first solo show at Los Angeles museum

May 5th, 20171 LOS ANGELES — The first solo U.S. show by Saudi Arabian artist Abdulnasser Gharem is currently underway at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) through July 2. The artist, who was also a lieutenant colonel in the Saudi Arabian army, is known for his political and social artwork that interlaces with his Muslim heritage. The...