Saudi Arabia to Allow Mosques to Open for Friday Prayers

Worshippers perform Eid prayers at the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Worshippers perform Eid prayers at the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia to Allow Mosques to Open for Friday Prayers

Worshippers perform Eid prayers at the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Worshippers perform Eid prayers at the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia will allow mosques to open for Friday prayers, state TV reported on Tuesday, as the Kingdom eases restrictions on movement to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Mosques will be authorized to open 20 minutes before Friday prayers and should close 20 minutes after they finish, state TV said on Twitter, citing the ministry of Islamic affairs.

Saudi authorities said on Monday that restrictions would be lifted in three phases, culminating in a curfew ending - with the exception of the holy city of Makkah - from June 21.

The Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, which attract millions of travellers from around the world, will remain suspended until further notice.



Seventh Saudi Relief Plane Arrives in Syria

The plane carried food, shelter, and medical supplies. SPA
The plane carried food, shelter, and medical supplies. SPA
TT

Seventh Saudi Relief Plane Arrives in Syria

The plane carried food, shelter, and medical supplies. SPA
The plane carried food, shelter, and medical supplies. SPA

The seventh Saudi airlift relief plane, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), arrived on Tuesday at Damascus International Airport in Syria, carrying food, shelter, and medical supplies.

This assistance is an extension of Saudi Arabia's continuous humanitarian and relief efforts through the Kingdom’s humanitarian arm, KSrelief, to support those in need worldwide during times of crisis.