‘Green hajj’ takes root in Makkah
- 24-Aug-2018
RIYADH: Thousands of cleaners are busy separating plastic from other rubbish as more than two million Muslims wrap up a pilgrimage to Mecca that presents a huge environmental challenge for Saudi Arabia. The Mamuniya camp in Mina near the holy city is dotted with colour-coded barrels — black for organic waste and blue for cans […]
More than two million Muslims begin hajj pilgrimage
- 19-Aug-2018
MECCA: More than two million Muslims from around the globe on Sunday started the hajj pilgrimage at Islam’s holiest sites in Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s largest annual gatherings. The ultra-conservative kingdom, which is undergoing dramatic social and economic reforms, has mobilised vast resources for the six-day journey, one of the five pillars of […]
Pilgrims gathering at Mecca to perform annual Hajj rituals
- 28-Aug-2017
JEDDAH: Muslims from across the world are gathering in Saudi Arabian city of Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage to take part in the following rituals: – Ihram: Pilgrims wear special outfits, which for men is a two-piece white seamless garment. Women wear loose dress, generally white, with only the face and hands exposed. During […]
Hajj flight operation begins
- 24-Jul-2017
ISLAMABAD: Hajj flight operation began on Monday as Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) first flight departed with 328 pilgrims on board from Benazir International Airport, Islamabad early Monday morning for Madina, ARY News reported. Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf arrived at the airport to see off the pilgrims. Speaking to media on the occasion, […]
Terror attacks not Islam: Pogba
- 30-Jun-2017
LONDON: The world’s most expensive footballer Paul Pogba says the four terror attacks that have killed dozens and left scores injured in England this year have nothing to do with religion. The 24-year-old Manchester United star — who is Muslim and went on a pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest site in Mecca after the end of […]
Four dead in Saudi raid on ‘terror’ cell near Mecca: ministry
- 06-May-2016
RIYADH: Saudi police shot dead two suspected militants and two others blew themselves up during a raid near the holy city of Mecca on Thursday, the interior ministry said.
Saudi suspends Saudi Binladin Group over Makkah crane disaster
- 15-Sep-2015
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia suspended construction giant Saudi Binladin Group from new contracts on Tuesday following Friday's collapse of a crane in Makkah's Grand Mosque which killed 107 people.
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah dies aged 91
- 23-Jan-2015
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz died on Friday and was replaced by Crown Prince Salman, the OPEC-kingpin's royal court said in a statement.