‘Attack on one is attack on all’: Pakistan warns Houthis, invokes Mecca defence pact
Pakistan warns Houthis that its defence alliance with Saudi Arabia and Turkey Pakistan warned Tuesday that its newly formed defence alliance with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye could be activated if the conflict in Yemen spills into Saudi territory, saying…
As the direction of the war hangs in the balance, pilgrims begin their pilgrimage
More than 1.5 million Muslims began the annual hajj pilgrimage in a vast tent city in the holy city of Mecca on Monday in hopes of an end to the wars in the Middle East. As the direction of the war hangs in the balance, pilgrims begin their pilgrimage…
With ice cream and giant fans, pilgrims battle sweltering heat
To escape the harsh sun, Inas Gamal abandoned ambitious plans to pray at Mecca’s Grand Mosque in the days leading up to the hajj and retreated to the comfort of an air-conditioned hotel room for daytime prayers. With ice cream and giant fans,…
Saudi Arabia advances Hajj 2026 visas explained: Deadlines, vaccines, biometric rules, 8 things pilgrims need to know
Going for Hajj in 2026? These new Saudi visa dates may affect your plans (representative image) Saudi ArabiaThe Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has officially started issuing visas for the 2026 Hajj season (1447 AH), with the process launching on February 8,…
Mecca museum unveils legendary Blue Quran: Pictures of verses from 1,100-year-old masterpiece Surah Al-Baqarah go viral on the internet
From the 9th century to today: The Blue Quran finds a home in Mecca museum In a landmark cultural moment in Islamic art and history, the Holy Qur’an Museum in Mecca’s Al-Hira Cultural District opens a special exhibition of the legendary “Blue Quran”…