How can you visit Makkah during the coronavirus pandemic? Through your computer screen ...
With Saudi Arabia’s borders closed to travellers, technology offers Muslims a new way to visit Islam’s holiest city
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Saudi Arabia races to contain epidemic in Islam's holiest city
Shielding Makkah from a pandemic that’s overwhelmed countries like Italy and the United States is crucial for Saudi Arabia. The total number of coronavirus cases reported in Makkah, home to 2 million people, reached 1,050 on Monday
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Interior Ministry updates curfew movement permit forms in Makkah, Madinah
The Ministry of Interior has updated the forms for movement permits during the curfew for groups excluded from curfew instructions, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday citing an official source at the ministry.
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Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah oversees departure of Iraqi pilgrims back home
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah supervised the departure of 172 Iraqi pilgrims on Monday back to Iraq, Saudi Press Agency reported. The pilgrims travelled from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah where 140 left for Erbil and 32 pilgrims to Baghdad.
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Offering quality mementos, souvenirs representing the spirit of Two Holy Cities
Saudi Arabia receives millions of foreign pilgrims every year for Hajj and Umrah and many return home bearing gifts for their families and friends. Salam Gifts (@salaams) is a Saudi startup that aims its products at the tourist and pilgrim markets with a range of quality mementos and souvenirs that represent the spirit of Makkah and Madinah.
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Saudi Arabia drawing on quarantine experience to combat coronavirus
As the number of COVID-19 infections in Saudi Arabia rises, the Kingdom is drawing on its considerable experience with quarantines. In 1865, Makkah was hit by an outbreak of cholera, a highly infectious and potentially deadly disease, during the Hajj season.
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JODC temporarily suspends work at Saudi's Jabal Omar
In light of the global spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Saudi Arabian stock market-listed Jabal Omar Development Company (JODC) has temporarily suspended all development work at the Jabal Omar project in the kingdom.
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Saudi Arabia to suspend Taraweeh prayers in Ramadan
The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance announced that Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan will only be performed at home as the suspension of prayers at mosques would not be lifted until the end of coronavirus.
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Saudi authorities send holy water to hospitalised patients
Decision to distribute Well of Zamzam water made to boost "material and moral" response to the pandemic
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4,000 e-services to ensure workflow at Two Holy Mosques
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, under the supervision of its president, Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, has provided more than 4,000 online services aimed at preserving the quality of work in the mosques.
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Decision regarding this year’s Hajj expected by 15th Ramazan: minister
Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri has said that the decision on whether or not this year’s Hajj would take place is expected to be made by 15th Ramazan.
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Program launched to support COVID-19 research in Islamic University in Madinah
The Islamic University in Madinah has announced a new program to support coronavirus-related research and studies in different fields. It includes legal studies related to epidemics and pandemics; studies featuring Saudi Arabia’s efforts to combat the spread of the virus; studies monitoring the economic impacts, among others.
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