Mosques reopen in Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem amid virus woes
4 years, 7 months ago

Mosques reopen in Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem amid virus woes

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Tens of thousands of mosques across Saudi Arabia reopened Sunday for the first time in more than two months, with worshipers ordered to follow strict guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as Islam’s holiest site in Mecca remained closed to the public. The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, Islam’s holiest site outside of Saudi Arabia, also reopened for prayers for the first time since it was closed in mid-March. In Saudi Arabia, the government prepared for the reopening of around 90,000 mosques after sanitizing prayer rugs, washrooms and shelves holding copies of the Quran, the Muslim holy book. On Sunday, Saudi Arabia also lifted a ban on domestic air travel and permitted some public sector workers to resume office work again, though full attendance will not be allowed until mid-June.

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History of this topic

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-COVID levels
1 year, 11 months ago

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-COVID levels

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Islam’s annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia will return to pre-pandemic levels this year after restrictions saw the annual religious commemoration curtailed over concerns about the coronavirus, authorities say. But in 2020, amid the lockdowns sparked by the pandemic, Saudi Arabia drastically curtailed the hajj with as as few as 1,000 residents of Saudi Arabia …

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-COVID levels
1 year, 11 months ago

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-COVID levels

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Islam's annual hajj pilgrimage in …

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-Covid numbers
2 years ago

Saudi Arabia: Hajj pilgrimage returning to pre-Covid numbers

India Today  

Islam’s annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia will return to pre-pandemic levels this year after restrictions saw the annual religious commemoration curtailed over concerns about the coronavirus, authorities say. But in 2020, amid the lockdowns sparked by the pandemic, Saudi Arabia drastically curtailed the hajj with as as few as 1,000 residents of Saudi Arabia permitted to take part. Saudi …

Saudi welcomes 1 million for biggest hajj pilgrimage since pandemic
2 years, 6 months ago

Saudi welcomes 1 million for biggest hajj pilgrimage since pandemic

Deccan Chronicle  

MECCA: White-robed worshippers from across the world have packed the streets of Mecca as Islam's holiest city prepares to host the biggest hajj pilgrimage since the coronavirus pandemic. In 2019, about 2.5 million people took part in the rituals, which include circling the Kaaba, the imposing black cube at Mecca's Grand Mosque, gathering at Mount Arafat and "stoning the devil" …

Saudi Arabia to reopen to vaccinated tourists after 17-month Covid lockdown
3 years, 5 months ago

Saudi Arabia to reopen to vaccinated tourists after 17-month Covid lockdown

India Today  

Saudi Arabia announced Friday it would reopen its borders to fully vaccinated foreign tourists after a 17-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, the state news agency said. It said travellers fully vaccinated with Saudi-approved jabs -- Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson -- will be able to enter the kingdom "without the need for an institutional quarantine period", …

Saudi Arabia says hajj to be limited to 60,000 in kingdom
3 years, 6 months ago

Saudi Arabia says hajj to be limited to 60,000 in kingdom

India TV News  

Saudi Arabia announced Saturday this year’s hajj pilgrimage will be limited to no more than 60,000 people, all of them from within the kingdom, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. A statement on the state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted the kingdom’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry making the announcement. “The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is honored to host pilgrims every …

Pilgrims Return To Mecca as Saudi Arabia Eases Coronavirus Restrictions
4 years, 3 months ago

Pilgrims Return To Mecca as Saudi Arabia Eases Coronavirus Restrictions

News 18  

A very small, limited number of people donning the white terrycloth garment symbolic of the Muslim pilgrimage circled Islam’s holiest site in Mecca on Sunday after Saudi Arabia lifted coronavirus restrictions that had been in place for months. But as nations begin to ease those restrictions, the Saudi government on Sunday started allowing a maximum of 6,000 pilgrims a day …

Pilgrims return to Mecca as Saudi eases virus restrictions
4 years, 3 months ago

Pilgrims return to Mecca as Saudi eases virus restrictions

The Independent  

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A very small, limited number of people donning …

Saudi Arabia to lift ban on Mecca pilgrimage amid virus
4 years, 3 months ago

Saudi Arabia to lift ban on Mecca pilgrimage amid virus

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Saudi Arabia on Tuesday said …

Saudi Arabia partially lifts flight restrictions, allows ’exceptional categories’ to enter and exit the kingdom
4 years, 3 months ago

Saudi Arabia partially lifts flight restrictions, allows ’exceptional categories’ to enter and exit the kingdom

Hindustan Times  

Saudi Arabia will partially lift its suspension on international flights from Tuesday, the interior ministry said, six months after travel curbs were imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Saudi Arabia to partially lift international flight restrictions from Tuesday The kingdom will end all restrictions on air, land and sea transport for Saudi citizens “after January 1” next year, the ministry …

Saudi Arabia announces Haj restrictions
4 years, 6 months ago

Saudi Arabia announces Haj restrictions

India TV News  

Saudi Arabia on Monday announced a series of measures to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus during the annual Haj pilgrimage scheduled to take place later this month. Monday's development came as Saudi Arabia reported a total of 209,509 COVID-19 cases, while the death toll stands at 1,916. Last month, Saudi Arabia had announced that due to the …

Saudi Arabia to hold ‘very limited’ hajj due to virus
4 years, 6 months ago

Saudi Arabia to hold ‘very limited’ hajj due to virus

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia said Tuesday that because of the coronavirus only “very limited numbers” of people will be allowed to perform the annual hajj pilgrimage that traditionally draws around 2 million Muslims from around the world. The hajj centers around five intense days of worship and rituals in Mecca, however pilgrims typically begin arriving to Saudi …

Saudi Arabia to re-open all mosques for Friday prayers, except those in Mecca
4 years, 7 months ago

Saudi Arabia to re-open all mosques for Friday prayers, except those in Mecca

India TV News  

Mosques in Saudi Arabia will re-open for Friday prayers this week as the country prepares to relax the lockdown measures in place to check the spread of COVID-19. Two circulars issued by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs said the mosques will be open from May 31 at least until June 20, except the mosques in Mecca. "The opening of the …

Saudi Arabia to enforce coronavirus curfew during Eid
4 years, 7 months ago

Saudi Arabia to enforce coronavirus curfew during Eid

Al Jazeera  

Nationwide 24-hour curfew will be imposed from May 23 to 27 following the end of Ramadan as COVID-19 cases rise. Saudi Arabia will enforce a countrywide 24-hour curfew during the five-day Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday later this month due to the coronavirus. A full lockdown will be imposed from May 23 to 27 following the end of the fasting month …

All Iran mosques set to reopen on Tuesday
4 years, 7 months ago

All Iran mosques set to reopen on Tuesday

Al Jazeera  

The move comes even though some parts of the country have seen a rise in infections. All mosques in Iran will reopen on Tuesday, a further step in the government’s plans to ease restrictions that aimed to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, the official IRIB news agency has reported. Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday that a county …

Saudi Arabia partially lifts curfew except in Mecca
4 years, 8 months ago

Saudi Arabia partially lifts curfew except in Mecca

Al Jazeera  

A 24-hour curfew will remain in the holy city of Mecca and in previously isolated neighbourhoods, state media reported. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has issued an order to partially lift the curfew in all regions of the kingdom while keeping a 24-hour curfew in Mecca and in previously isolated neighbourhoods, state news agency said early on Sunday. As of Sunday …

Saudi grand mufti: Ramadan, Eid prayers to be done at home
4 years, 8 months ago

Saudi grand mufti: Ramadan, Eid prayers to be done at home

Al Jazeera  

Top religious authority says prayers could be performed at home if not possible at mosques due to coronavirus measures. Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti, the highest religious authority in the kingdom, has said prayers during Ramadan and the subsequent Eid al-Fitr festival should be performed at home if the coronavirus outbreak continues, according to a Saudi newspaper. “Ramadan’s Taraweeh prayer can …

Saudi Capital, Cities Get 24-hour Curfew, Kuwait Isolates Two Districts Over Coronavirus
4 years, 9 months ago

Saudi Capital, Cities Get 24-hour Curfew, Kuwait Isolates Two Districts Over Coronavirus

News 18  

Dubai: Saudi Arabia placed its capital Riyadh and other big cities under a 24-hour curfew on Monday, locking down much of the population as the largest Gulf Arab country expanded efforts to stem the spread of the new coronavirus. Saudi's eastern oil-producing province of Qatif, where the kingdom's first coronavirus cases were reported among Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims returning from Iran, …

Saudi Arabia and UAE escalate measures to contain coronavirus
4 years, 9 months ago

Saudi Arabia and UAE escalate measures to contain coronavirus

Al Jazeera  

As the number of infections increases in the Gulf region, Saudi Arabia and the UAE extend lockdown and curfew. Saudi Arabia has announced a lockdown and a partial curfew in seven neighbourhoods in the city of Jeddah starting on Saturday as part of measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak. Saudi Arabia is the worst-hit country by the pandemic among the …

S Arabia imposes curfew, UAE halts flights to fight coronavirus
4 years, 9 months ago

S Arabia imposes curfew, UAE halts flights to fight coronavirus

Al Jazeera  

Gulf nations step up measures against coronavirus as infections continue to rise. Saudi Arabia will impose a nationwide curfew from Monday evening, while the United Arab Emirates has announced the suspension of all passenger and transit flights as the coronavirus cases in the world continue to increase. The UAE, which has 153 reported coronavirus cases, said it will suspend all …

Prayers outside Makkah's Grand Mosque, Prophet's Mosque suspended amid coronavirus threat
4 years, 9 months ago

Prayers outside Makkah's Grand Mosque, Prophet's Mosque suspended amid coronavirus threat

India TV News  

Saudi Arabia on Thursday suspended their five daily prayers and the weekly Friday prayer outside the walls of the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah in a bid to curd the spreading of the novel coronavirus. According to Saudi Press Agency, the spokesperson for the General Presidency for the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Hani bin Hosni Haider, …

Saudi Arabia bans prayers at mosques over coronavirus fears
4 years, 9 months ago

Saudi Arabia bans prayers at mosques over coronavirus fears

Al Jazeera  

Move will also include weekly Friday prayers in a country that has reported more than 270 coronavirus cases. Saudi Arabia has suspended the holding of daily prayers and the weekly Friday prayers inside and outside the walls of the two mosques in Mecca and Medina to limit the spread of coronavirus. Earlier, on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia had suspended congregational prayers …

Coronavirus in Gulf states: No warm greetings, no mosque prayers
4 years, 9 months ago

Coronavirus in Gulf states: No warm greetings, no mosque prayers

Al Jazeera  

Life turns upside down in Gulf region as more than 870 COVID-19 cases are recorded across six GCC nations. Facing a mounting public health threat, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman have taken drastic measures to combat the pandemic. ‘Awkward greetings’ Residents in the Omani capital of Muscat told AFP there had been much “fear …

Virus halts pilgrimages to Mecca, Friday prayers in Iran
4 years, 10 months ago

Virus halts pilgrimages to Mecca, Friday prayers in Iran

Associated Press  

TEHRAN, Iran — The coronavirus outbreak disrupted Islamic worship in the Middle East as Saudi Arabia on Wednesday banned its citizens and other residents of the kingdom from performing the pilgrimage in Mecca, while Iran canceled Friday prayers in major cities. In Iran, authorities halted Friday prayers in all provincial capitals amid the country’s growing coronavirus outbreak, which has killed …

Amid virus, Saudis close Islam’s holiest sites to foreigners
4 years, 10 months ago

Amid virus, Saudis close Islam’s holiest sites to foreigners

Associated Press  

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia on Thursday closed off the holiest sites in Islam to foreign pilgrims over the coronavirus, disrupting travel for thousands of Muslims already headed to the kingdom and potentially affecting plans later this year for millions more ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan and the annual hajj pilgrimage. The number of infections in …

Saudi Arabia suspends entry for pilgrims over coronavirus
4 years, 10 months ago

Saudi Arabia suspends entry for pilgrims over coronavirus

Live Mint  

Saudi Arabia on Thursday suspended visas for visits to Islam's holiest sites for the "umrah" pilgrimage, an unprecedented move triggered by coronavirus fears that raises questions over the annual hajj. A hajj travel association in Bangladesh said over 1,000 pilgrims, many with non-refundable tickets to Saudi Arabia, were "stranded at Dhaka airport" after being denied permission to board following Riyadh's …

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