Saudi Arabia Successfully Hosts Over 15 Mln Worshippers, Umrah Pilgrims during Ramadan

Worshippers perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (SPA)
Worshippers perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (SPA)
TT
20

Saudi Arabia Successfully Hosts Over 15 Mln Worshippers, Umrah Pilgrims during Ramadan

Worshippers perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (SPA)
Worshippers perform prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Tuesday the success of the Umrah season and the organizational and health measures in place amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Throughout the holy month of Ramadan, over 15.5 million people performed prayers, including 5.1 million Umrah pilgrims, at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. No coronavirus infection was reported among them.

Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Abdulfattah Mashat told Asharq Al-Awsat that the ministry had employed all of its energy, in coordination with all concerned parties, to ensure the success of the Umrah during Ramadan.

He said that it had set preemptive plans and strategies that were prepared in advance before the advent of Ramadan.

The fact that not a single coronavirus infection was reported among the millions of worshippers throughout this period is evidence of the success of these plans, he stressed.

Worshippers were required to have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

Mashat said that the regulations stipulated that a Umrah pilgrim must have received one or two shots of the vaccine.

This measure is sufficient at this stage to ensure everyone’s safety, he remarked.



OIC Condemns Statements by Israeli Officials on Imposing Sovereignty Over West Bank

OIC Condemns Statements by Israeli Officials on Imposing Sovereignty Over West Bank
TT
20

OIC Condemns Statements by Israeli Officials on Imposing Sovereignty Over West Bank

OIC Condemns Statements by Israeli Officials on Imposing Sovereignty Over West Bank

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned the statements by officials in the Israeli occupation government calling for annexing and imposing the alleged Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank.

 

It is considered a flagrant violation of the resolutions of international legitimacy and international law, and an attempt to undermine international efforts geared toward a two-state solution, SPA reported.

The OIC warned of the dangerousness of such statements and continued incitement pursued by the Israeli occupation's leaders and extremist settlers against the Palestinian people as well as their land and sanctities.

It reiterated its call for the international community to recognize the State of Palestine, endorse its full membership at the United Nations, and take the required measures to end occupation and illegal settlement of the occupied Palestinian territories pursuant to the relevant UN resolutions and the advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice.