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Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia to host 4th OIC conference on mediation

ISLAMABAD: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sunday will host two-day Fourth Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conference highlighting OIC’s role in maintaining regional and global peace and security. The conference titled “Experiences and Prospects” would be organized by the

Saudi Arabia attacks Houthis, eight killed

SANA’A: In response, the Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on the capital Sana’a and the port city of Hodeida – a key entry point for humanitarian aid – early on Saturday. The strikes on Sana’a reportedly killed eight civilians, the UN

Saudi Arabia condemns terrorist attack targeting mosque in Peshawar

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack that targeted a mosque in the city of Peshawar in Pakistan, which resulted in the death of dozens of innocent people and injured others. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed sincere

Thai PM to visit Saudi Arabia for first time in decades

BANGKOK: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-cha will this week make the first visit by a Thai leader to Saudi Arabia in more than 30 years following decades of diplomatic tension sparked by a jewel theft from a Saudi palace. Thai-born janitor

Saudi Arabia restricts Umrah pilgrimage for foreign travelers

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has restricted the repetition of Umrah for foreign pilgrims, only allowing them to perform it three times during a 30-day stay amid concerns over rising COVID-19 cases. According to local media reports quoting the Saudi Ministry for

Saudi Arabia announces e-maritime transit visa

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has announced that it had launched an e-maritime transit visa for those coming to the Kingdom via cruise ships. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) KSA. The e-visa will be issued to

Two killed, 7 injured in Houthis attack in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Two people have been killed in Saudi Arabia in a projectile attack blamed on Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Since 2014, Yemen has been racked by a civil war pitting Iran-backed Houthi rebels against the internationally recognised government, which is supported

Saudi Arabia bans Tablighi Jamaat, links it to ‘terrorism’

The Saudi government has banned Tablighi Jamaat, a Sunni Islamic movement, calling it ‘one of the gates of terrorism’. The Saudi Ministry of Islamic affairs said in a tweet that the preachers in the mosque have been directed to allocate

In pictures: Saudi Arabia hosts first international film festival

The first international film festival was held in Saudi Arabia after a two-year wait. The film festival was held in the coastal city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and was attended by leading showbiz personalities from around the world, including the

Saudi Arabia to convene OIC meeting on Afghanistan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, as chair of the Islamic Summit, and in-line with relevant OIC decisions on Afghanistan, called upon the OIC to urgently convene an Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting to discuss the humanitarian situation in the country and pathways for an

British Consul General in Saudi Arabia converts to Islam

JEDDAH: The British consul-general to Jeddah has embraced Islam and changed his name to Seif Usher. The diplomat revealed the news on Twitter earlier this week. A picture of Usher standing in the courtyard of Masjid Al Nabawi in Madinah

Saudi Arabia outlines climate plans under Mideast Green Initiative

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s crown prince launched a Middle East Green Initiative which aims to secure 39 billion riyals ($10.4 billion) for an investment fund and clean energy project as part of efforts to reduce regional carbon emissions. Crown Prince Muhammad

Thermal cameras removed from Saudi Grand Mosque as COVID curbs ease

JEDDAH: Saudi authorities have removed thermal cameras installed nearly two years ago at the Grand Mosque (Majid-ul-Haram) in the holy city of Makkah as the kingdom has recently eased restrictions against COVID-19. The General Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques

PM Imran Khan departs for Saudi Arabia to attend MGI Summit

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan departed for Saudi Arabia on Saturday (today) on a three-day official visit to attend the launch ceremony of the “Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) Summit” being held here in the Saudi capital Riyadh. The prime

Saudi Arabia allows full attendance at Khana-e-Kaba, Masjid-e-Navbi PBUH

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has announced to open the Khana-e-Kaaba (Grand Mosque) in Makkah and Masjid-e-Nabvi PBUH in Madinah with full capacity as the Kingdom announced ease in COVID restrictions on Friday. According to the state news agency, SPA, full capacity

Houthi rebels missile attack on airport injures 10 people in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Houthi rebels fired missiles at an airport in the Saudi city of Jazan, injuring 10 people. According to details, Houthi rebels fired missiles at King Abdullah Airport in Jazan yesterday, injuring 10 people, including six Saudi passengers, three Bangladeshis,

UN Human Rights Council ends Yemen war crimes probe

GENEVA: The UN Human Rights Council voted to end to shut down the body’s investigation of war crimes in Yemen in a blow to Western nations who wanted the probe to continue. The 47-member council voted against renewing the mandate

Taliban govt’s behaviour ‘not encouraging’: EU foreign policy chief

RIYADH: The European Union foreign policy chief said the Taliban government’s behaviour up to now was “not very encouraging”, and any economic collapse in Afghanistan would raise the risk of terrorism and other threats. Josep Borrell, speaking at a joint

Saudi Arabia announces scholarships for 600 Pakistani students

RIYADH: Good news for Pakistani students as Saudi Arabia has announced 600 scholarships for Pakistani students willing to study in the kingdom. According to the KSA, the scholarships are being offered for diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD levels in the

PM Imran Khan felicitates Saudi Arabia on its 91st National Day

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has felicitated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of its 91st National Day being observed today. In a statement on Twitter, the prime minister congratulated King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed

Saudi Arabia supports efforts to prevent nuclear Iran: King Salman tells UN

NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz told the United Nations General Assembly that his kingdom supports efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, as world leaders prepare to resume talks with Tehran to reinstate a 2015 nuclear

Saudi Arabia imposes fine for performing Umrah without permit

MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia has announced to impose a fine of 10,000 Riyals ($2,666) for those who attempt to perform Umrah without a permit, according to a Twitter post by the Kingdom’s national security team. The announcement also stated that a

Pakistan remains barred as Saudi Arabia resumes Umrah

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is among nine countries whose citizens have not been allowed for Umrah pilgrimage as Saudi Arabia has reopened applications. Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri Monday said Saudi Arabia has decided to open the Umrah pilgrimage for

Saudi Arabia reopens borders for vaccinated Umrah pilgrims

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will begin accepting vaccinated foreign pilgrims seeking to visit the holy city of Makkah, state media reported on Sunday, after about a year and a half of not receiving overseas worshippers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Authorities

Another 23 prisoners released by Saudi Arabia return home

LAHORE: A flight on Tuesday brought back 28 Pakistani prisoners from Damam after they were released by Saudi Arabia. A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) landed at Allama Iqbal International Airport where the COVID-19 tests of the released passengers were carried

Saudi Foreign Minister, COAS Gen Bajwa discuss regional peace

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at Rawalpindi. According to Inter-Services Public Relations, matters of bilateral interest, evolving security situation of the region

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia agree to improve bilateral ties in diverse areas

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to further improve their economic linkages and expand their bilateral relations in new diverse areas. The understanding came at a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal

Saudi foreign minister to arrive in Pakistan tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud will visit Pakistan on Tuesday (tomorrow) on the invitation of his counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The dignitary will be accompanied by a delegation comprising senior officials of the Saudi government.

Saudi Arabia allows shops to remain open during prayer times

RIYADH: Shops in Saudi Arabia may now stay open during prayer times, a leading government-linked newspaper said, relaxing the strict rules on closing shops and businesses for prayer five times a day. It is the latest in a series of

Greater Israel near completion

When we speak about the Palestine dispute, we are often overwhelmed with the mention of Masjid Al-Aqsa. Despite the myriad of differences, all Muslims and not just Palestinians have an emotional attachment to the holy place which has been epicentre