Makkah’s Grand Mosque Welcomes a Million Worshippers Daily

01 April 2023, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Muslims perform the "Tarawih" evening prayers at the Great Mosque in Makkah during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. (SPA)
01 April 2023, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Muslims perform the "Tarawih" evening prayers at the Great Mosque in Makkah during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. (SPA)
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Makkah’s Grand Mosque Welcomes a Million Worshippers Daily

01 April 2023, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Muslims perform the "Tarawih" evening prayers at the Great Mosque in Makkah during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. (SPA)
01 April 2023, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Muslims perform the "Tarawih" evening prayers at the Great Mosque in Makkah during the holy fasting month of Ramadan. (SPA)

The Grand Mosque in Makkah has been welcoming nearly a million Umrah pilgrims and worshippers daily since the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan that began 12 days ago.

The numbers are expected to rise in the second half of the month.

The General Presidency of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and Prophet's Mosque announced that as of Saturday, 9,357,853 worshippers and Umrah pilgrims from across the globe have visited the Grand Mosque since the beginning of the holy month.

Relevant authorities have intensified their efforts to provide the best services to the worshippers so that they can perform their prayers smoothly.

Authorities have handed out 508,560 bottles of zamzam water. They provided volunteer services to 982,154 beneficiaries, 1,992,050 have benefited from field guidance and 719,500 from digital awareness services.

Some 322,700 liters of disinfectants have been used to clean the carpets at the Grand Mosque and 320,800 to clean its roofs, and 47,500 liters of hand sanitizers have been distributed. The Grand Mosque has been furnished with 35,000 carpets.

Social and humanitarian services have benefitted 249,906 people, and 653,369 people have benefitted from guidance that is provided in various languages.

Moreover, the General Presidency of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and Prophet's Mosque revealed that the average duration of the Umrah rituals performed by each pilgrim had reached 104 minutes. The smooth process is testament to the services provided by the authorities.

On Sunday, General President of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and Prophet's Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais announced that the Presidency has completed the preparation of the third Saudi expansion of the Grand Mosque.

He stated that all its floors, roofs, and yards are ready to accommodate the largest number of pilgrims and visitors.

He extended his gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the great efforts and unprecedented services they provide for the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.



Dubai Declares 10 Days of Mourning after Death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Dubai Declares 10 Days of Mourning after Death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Court of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, mourned on Monday the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Ahmed is the son of former Dubai ruler Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and younger brother of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. He died on Monday morning.

The Court announced 10 days of mourning in Dubai, with flags flown at half-mast, starting Monday.

The deceased was the fourth and youngest son of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who ruled Dubai from 1958 until his death in 1990 and was one of the founding fathers of the UAE.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid served as deputy head of Dubai’s police and public security.

For decades, he was associated with several sports, particularly football, horse racing and water sports.

He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Britain.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid was a prominent figure in UAE sports, particularly Al Wasl Club, which he led for many years.

He also played a key role in developing horse racing in Dubai, including Jebel Ali Racecourse.

His sporting legacy extended to water sports, helping establish the Dubai International Marine Sports Club.


Saudi Foreign Minister Participates in GCC Coordination Meeting in New York

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah took part in a coordination meeting of the ministerial council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in New York. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah took part in a coordination meeting of the ministerial council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in New York. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Participates in GCC Coordination Meeting in New York

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah took part in a coordination meeting of the ministerial council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in New York. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah took part in a coordination meeting of the ministerial council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in New York. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah took part in a coordination meeting of the ministerial council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in New York.

The meeting was held at the headquarters of Bahrain’s permanent mission to the United Nations ahead of the start of the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

The interlocutors reviewed the key topics and issues scheduled for discussion during the General Assembly, as well as the Gulf Cooperation Council states’ joint efforts and shared positions on those matters.

The foreign ministers also discussed current regional developments, their implications for the security and stability of the region, as well as ways to promote joint cooperation and coordination in addressing current challenges.

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister for Multilateral International Affairs and Supervisor General of the Ministry’s Agency for Economic and Development Affairs, Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim Al-Rassi, attended the meeting.

 


Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Official, Settlers’ Storming of Al-Aqsa Courtyards

Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Official, Settlers’ Storming of Al-Aqsa Courtyards

Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards by an Israeli occupation official and a group of extremist settlers, under the protection of occupation forces, describing the incursion as a flagrant violation and a provocation to Muslims worldwide, the Saudi Press Agency said Monday.

In a statement, the ministry said: "Saudi Arabia reiterates its categorical rejection of the provocative practices and illegal and extremist acts of incitement and violence committed by Israeli occupation officials against Palestinians and the holy lands in occupied Palestine."

The ministry further stressed the urgent need for the international community to fulfill its responsibility to stop all such attacks, which violate international law and international humanitarian law.

On Sunday, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound with a group of settlers.