How the journey to a Covid-19 vaccine began on the Hajj
9 July 2020

How the journey to a Covid-19 vaccine began on the Hajj

Lebanese-American virologist Hadi Yassine played a pivotal role in the development of the first Covid-19 vaccine candidate

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Makkah governor maps tourism-sector growth for region
8 July 2020

Makkah governor maps tourism-sector growth for region

Makkah region’s great potential and natural diversity were key factors toward developing a flourishing tourism sector, its governor has claimed. Speaking during a video conference call with Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib, Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal discussed prospects to further open up the region as a visitor destination.

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COVID-19 Cancels the Islamic Pilgrimage, Grounding a Lifelong Dream for Some N.C. Muslims
8 July 2020

COVID-19 Cancels the Islamic Pilgrimage, Grounding a Lifelong Dream for Some N.C. Muslims

“When God gives you a test or a calamity like this one, you must be patient,” says Shakil Ahmed, an imam at the Islamic Center of Cary. “We need to accept the will of God and the advice of authorities.

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Work progresses as planned on Makkah’s Masar project
7 July 2020

Work progresses as planned on Makkah’s Masar project

Umm Alqura for Development and Construction (UAQ) — the owner and developer of the Masar destination in Makkah — has confirmed that work is underway to complete the remainder of the infrastructure phase for the project. It features King Abdul Aziz Road as its core component and is being brought to life under the slogan “Dedicated to Makkah.”

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New at Hajj this year: Bottled holy water, sterilised pebbles
7 July 2020

New at Hajj this year: Bottled holy water, sterilised pebbles

New at Hajj this year: Bottled holy water, sterilised pebbles. Saudi Arabia has issued guidelines for the pilgrims that will be allowed to perform the hajj pilgrimage in Makkah later this month, an experience that

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Registration for Hajj begins; 70% will be expats
6 July 2020

Registration for Hajj begins; 70% will be expats

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah opened on Monday registration for those wishing to perform Hajj this year through its website. Out of the total 10,000 pilgrims, 70 percent will be foreigners residing in the Kingdom while the remaining 30 percent will be Saudis.

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Makkah mayor chairs virtual meeting to discuss plans for Hajj season
5 July 2020

Makkah mayor chairs virtual meeting to discuss plans for Hajj season

Makkah Mayor Mohammed Abdullah Al-Quwaihis chaired a virtual meeting on Sunday to discuss plans for this year’s Hajj season. Undersecretaries and directors general of Makkah Municipality joined the meeting via videoconferencing.

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Special health protocols for Hajj issued
5 July 2020

Special health protocols for Hajj issued

The Saudi National Center for Disease Prevention and Control has issued special health protocols for the current Hajj season. According to the protocol, pilgrims should not be allowed to touch or kiss the Holy Kaaba and the Black Stone and they have to use packaged sterilized pebbles for the stoning ritual.

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95,000 Nigerian Hajj pilgrims to wait till 2021
3 July 2020

95,000 Nigerian Hajj pilgrims to wait till 2021

95,000 pilgrims from Nigeria will now have to wait till 2021 to perform Hajj as Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has finaly announced no participation in this year’s hajj rites for non-resident foreigners.

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Religious Affairs Takes Hajj Registration to Digital Platform
2 July 2020

Religious Affairs Takes Hajj Registration to Digital Platform

The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs Hajj services directorate announced it is preparing to launch an online Hajj registration system.

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Saudi triples VAT in unpopular virus-led austerity push
1 July 2020

Saudi triples VAT in unpopular virus-led austerity push

Saudis braced Wednesday for a tripling in value added tax, another unpopular austerity measure after the twin shocks of coronavirus and an oil price slump triggered the kingdom’s worst economic decline in decades.

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Hajj, umrah suspensions cost PIA Rs30b: spokesperson
1 July 2020

Hajj, umrah suspensions cost PIA Rs30b: spokesperson

Saudi Arabia has suspended Hajj and umrah for everyone but people within the kingdom over coronavirus fears and this, the PIA spokesperson, says has dented the airline’s revenue.

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