Mecca

A huge spike in coronavirus cases in the Middle East, where many have been observing the Islamic month of Ramadan, has led countries to extend and reinforce lockdown measures during this weekend's Eid holiday.The largest number of cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, has been in Saudi…

As the faithful prepare for the end of Islam's holiest month, governments have enacted tougher lockdown measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. But religious authorities have sought to provide spiritual relief. As the Muslim world prepares to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Islam's holiest month, many of the…

Muslims circumambulating the Kaaba in Mecca last March. (AP pic)JAKARTA: Indonesia on Tuesday called for Saudi Arabia to decide if it will allow the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, after the coronavirus pandemic plunged the ritual into doubt. Last year around 2.5 million faithful travelled to Saudi Arabia from across…

Muslims circumambulating the Kaaba in Mecca last March. (AP pic)JAKARTA: Indonesia on Tuesday called for Saudi Arabia to decide if it will allow the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, after the coronavirus pandemic plunged the ritual into doubt. Last year around 2.5 million faithful travelled to Saudi Arabia from across…

At least six countries have had to restart their coronavirus lockdowns weeks after loosening them.China, Germany, Iran, South Korea, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia all reimposed partial new measures after discovering a spike in infections.The renewed lockdowns are often limited to various districts where the virus has spiked, or limited to…

Residents line up for coronavirus tests after six new cases were discovered in Wuhan, China, May 15, 2020.Aly Song/ReutersAt least six countries have had to restart their coronavirus lockdowns weeks after loosening them.China, Germany, Iran, South Korea, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia all reimposed partial new measures after discovering a spike…

Muslims circumambulating the Kaaba in Mecca on March 7. (AP pic)SINGAPORE: Singapore has decided to defer this year’s haj for its 900 pilgrims to 2021 due to Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis). Muis in a statement today said the decision was made with the…

This year, the holy month of Ramadan, traditionally a time of fasting from dawn until dusk, is unfolding like no other year. For the 1.8 billion Muslims around the world, this year’s Ramadan—which falls April 23 to May 23—is a time when the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the holiest shrine,…

The coronavirus pandemic has forced Muslims to reflect on how they observe their Ramadan traditions. DW reporter Christoph Strack joined a Muslim family in Berlin for the Iftar meal. "It really is important to celebrate with the family," says the father. A few minutes later, his son repeats the same…

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.A hospital in France discovered a coronavirus case from late December, weeks before French authorities confirmed the first cases of the novel virus in the country, according to a report.Officials with Avicenne and Jean Verdier…