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.



Mohammed bin Salman, Zelenskyy Discuss Efforts to Resolve Ukrainian-Russian Crisis

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
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Mohammed bin Salman, Zelenskyy Discuss Efforts to Resolve Ukrainian-Russian Crisis

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has received a phone call from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

During the call on Wednesday, they discussed relations between Saudi Arabia and Ukraine, several mutual concerns, and regional and international developments.

Additionally, they discussed developments on the Ukrainian-Russian crisis and the efforts being made to address it.