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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)
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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.

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GCC Expresses Grave Concern Over Instability in South Asia

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi.
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GCC Expresses Grave Concern Over Instability in South Asia

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi expressed on Saturday the deep concern of member states over the deteriorating security situation in South Asia, calling on all parties to exercise restraint, prioritize dialogue, and resume urgent negotiations between Pakistan and India.

Albudaiwi also strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack targeting tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of numerous innocent civilians.

He underscored the critical importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means in line with international law and the UN Charter, to safeguard security, peace, and stability in the region. He reiterated the GCC’s firm stance against terrorism in all its forms.

Moreover, Albudaiwi renewed the GCC member states' call for the international community to intensify its efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir issue based on the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.