Mecca

Cairo has severely underreported the number of positive cases in the country, according to researchers. But authorities have taken it a step further by arresting people circulating figures higher than the official tally. In Egypt, the first person to die of the novel coronavirus was a 60-year-old German man who…

For the first time in six decades, Iran has requested a loan from the IMF to fight the coronavirus outbreak. US sanctions have isolated the country from the global financial system. They could also stop IMF assistance. Iranian officials confirmed they had asked the International Monetary Fund for a $5…

-6 US Rapper Akon Visits Mecca Before Virus Closure This is the moment US rapper Akon visits the Holy Kaaba in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca just before its closure amid COVID-19 fears. The Senegalese-American star, who was born to a Muslim family and spent a large part of…

Frank FilmA pilgrimage to Mecca brings healing and a chance at redemption.This story is part three of Nine Bullets, a seven-episode video series from Frank Film and Stuff following the recovery of Christchurch mosque attack survivor Temel Atacocugu. Watch all seven episodes. For Temel Atacocugu, a pilgrimage to Mecca was…

Men's Health/Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies Ever since the coronavirus started its spread, people around the world have been asked to limit their travels, work from home if necessary and avoid public gatherings in an effort to stop or slow the spread of COVID-19. As the World Health Organization reports…

Due to concerns over the global spread of the coronavirus – especially in nearby Iran – Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended travel to its holy sites. Millions of Muslims visit the Saudi kingdom around the year for pilgrimage. The current travel restrictions prevent the entry of both overseas pilgrims and…

Saudi Arabia reopens Mecca's Grand Mosque but bars people from touching the cuboid Kaaba shrine after it was closed for disinfecting over coronavirusSaudi Arabia closed the Grand Mosque in Mecca, one of the holiest sites in Islam, this week to disinfect itThe mosque was reopened Saturday, but people were blocked…

Muslim pilgrims perform the “Tawaf al-Ifada”, a mandatory circumambulation around the Kaaba (the Cube), Islam’s holiest shrine in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca on August 11, 2019, following their descent from Mount Arafat. (Photo / AFP)Saudi Arabia reopened Saturday the area around the sacred Kaaba in Mecca’s Grand Mosque,…

AFP — From Jerusalem to Mecca, Muslims across the Middle East held Friday prayers under the shadow of the new coronavirus, with some gatherings cancelled and others subdued because of the deadly outbreak. The highly contagious disease is believed to be transmitted through close contact and authorities globally have moved…

JERUSALEM: From Jerusalem to Mecca, Muslims across the Middle East held Friday prayers under the shadow of the new coronavirus, with some gatherings cancelled and others subdued because of the deadly outbreak.The highly contagious disease is believed to be transmitted through close contact and authorities globally have moved to restrict large…