NEW DELHI — Several middle eastern countries including Saudia Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain have called out for a boycott of Indian products from their superstores on social media. The outrage comes after Bharatiya Janta Pary (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma allegedly made some objectionable remarks against Prophet Mohammed during a panel discussion on an Indian news […]
Middle East
Egypt unveils discovery of 250 coffins, 150 statues in Saqqara
CAIRO — Egyptian authorities unveiled on a major new archaeological find of 250 sealed coffins containing mummies, 150 bronze statues of ancient gods and goddesses, and other antiquities at the Saqqara necropolis, south of the capital Cairo. An archaeological mission working in Bubastian Cemetery area discovered a bronze statues cachette in the site that dates […]
Palestinian presidency rejects Israeli PM’s remarks on Jerusalem
RAMALLAH — The Palestinian presidency has rejected the remarks of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, in which he said that “Jerusalem is a unified city”. Palestinian Presidential Spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said on Sunday in a press statement that “East Jerusalem and all its holy sites will remain the eternal capital of the state of […]
Saudi Arabia bans citizens from travelling to 16 nations, including India
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has banned citizens from travelling to 16 countries, including India, over the Covid-19 situation in those nations, the media reported. The General Directorate of Passports said that the list of countries comprised Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, India, Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Indonesia, Vietnam, Armenia, […]
Palestinians condemn killing of journalist in West Bank
RAMALLAH/GAZA — The killing of Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the occupied West Bank sparked condemnation and outrage among the Palestinians. The journalist was killed on Wednesday morning. Abu Akleh’s colleagues, Palestinian eyewitnesses, and medics told Xinhua news agency that the “Israeli soldiers opened fire at her and another journalist when they were covering […]
Al Jazeera journalist shot dead by Israeli forces in West Bank
JERUSALEM — Palestinian health ministry Wednesday said that the Israeli forces have shot dead Al Jazeera’s journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the occupied West Bank. The ministry said that she was hit by a live bullet while covering Israeli raids in the city of Jenin and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. “She […]
Saudi Arabia greenlights Haj travel, India’s quota of pilgrims fixed at 79,237, say officials
NEW DELHI — Saudi Arabia has informed India that pilgrims will be able to travel to that country for Haj this year and the Indian quota has been fixed at 79,237 pilgrims due to Covid limitations, Ministry of Minority Affairs officials said on Friday. The Saudi government has also told the Indian side that only […]
Over 150 Palestinians injured as Israeli police storm Al-Aqsa mosque
JERUSALEM — More than 150 Palestinians were injured at dawn on Friday as the Israeli police stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Anadolu Agency reports. The Palestinian Red Crescent said that 152 Palestinians were injured during clashes with the Israeli police in the courtyards of the mosque. The Palestinians were injured by rubber bullets, tear […]
Haj 2022: Saudi Arabia to allow one million pilgrims
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia said Saturday it will permit one million Muslims from inside and outside the country to participate in this year’s haj. The Ministry of Haj and Umrah “has authorised one million pilgrims, both foreign and domestic, to perform the hajj this year,” it said in a statement. It is “open to those […]
Turkey’s Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque holds 1st Tarawih prayer in 88 years
ISTANBUL — Turkey’s Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul held its first Tarawih prayer in 88 years late Friday, a special evening prayer during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. A number of events for Ramadan will also be held at the mosque, which was converted into a museum in 1934 and regained its status […]