Mecca

Online fury as Israeli journalist illegally sneaks into Mecca

Gil Tamary of Israel's Channel 13 was in Jeddah covering US President Joe Biden's visit but flouted rules and entered Islam’s holiest city, filming what his channel calls "an important journalistic accomplishment".

In pictures: Muslims celebrate Eid al Adha as pilgrims conclude their Hajj

Eid al Adha, the feast of the sacrifice that begins on Saturday, marks the end of this year's Hajj.

Muslim pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat for climax of biggest Covid-era Hajj

This year's pilgrimage marks the largest since the virus struck, although the attendance by 1 million worshippers remains less than half of the pre-pandemic influx.

One million Muslims begin initial Hajj rites in Mecca

Muslims begin the first day of rites at Islam's holiest site as the Hajj pilgrimage reaches attendance numbers nearing pre-pandemic years.

Muslim pilgrims begin largest Hajj since Covid pandemic

One million fully vaccinated Muslims are set to take part in this year's Hajj pilgrimage, the largest number since the start of the pandemic.

In pictures: Pilgrims flock to Mecca for biggest Hajj since pandemic

Saudi Arabia will welcome one million people, including 850,000 from abroad, for the Hajj pilgrimage after two years of curtailed numbers due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Saudi welcomes first foreign Hajj pilgrims since before pandemic

A group from Indonesia landed in the city of Medina and was set to travel south to the holy city of Mecca in the coming weeks to prepare for the Hajj next month.

Saudi Arabia raises Hajj pilgrim cap, relaxes Covid restrictions

Riyadh has expanded the Islamic pilgrimage number in the country to one million compared to last year's 60,000 domestic participants.

How Prophet Muhammad and his companions experienced the first Ramadan

In the vicinity of deserts, where food and water sources were scarce, the first Muslims in Medina learned to fast all day long under Prophet Muhammad’s guidance.

How the Hudaybiyyah treaty led to the recognition of Islam's first state

March 31 holds an important place in Islamic history as the anniversary of the treaty that paved the way for official recognition of the first Islamic state under Prophet Muhammad’s leadership.

Saudi Arabia’s net-zero pledges are just another instance of greenwashing

Despite Saudi promises to mitigate climate change, the Kingdom thwarts international efforts at collaboration.

The year that linked the fates of Afghanistan and the Middle East

The year 1979 is a turning point in the history of the region, as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Islamic revolution in Iran and ‘Seige of Mecca’ laid the groundwork for the rise and victory of the Taliban over forty years later.