Middle East

Jeddah, Mar 20: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health is working on raising the percentage of COVID-19 vaccine recipients in the cities of Makkah and Madinah to at least 60 percent before Dhul Hijjah 1, 1442H (July 13), Okaz has learned from well-informed sources. In coordination with the National Transformation Program (NTP), the ministry has set out a health plan for Hajj this year. According to the

Dubai has issued Covid-19 precautionary measures for the Holy Month of Ramadan. According to the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, during Ramadan: > Hosting large social gatherings should be avoided, especially to prevent the elderly and people with chronic diseases to the risks of Covid-19 > Ramadan tents as well as Iftar and donation tents are prohibited > Taraweeh prayers can

Dubai, Mar 16: United Arab Emirates had banned Taraweeh prayers - the special prayers offered during the holy month of Ramadan – last year due to covid-19 pandemic. However this Ramadan, mosques across UAE are allowed to host Taraweeh prayers, official sources said. The holy month will begin in less than a month. The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said strict

Tel Aviv, Mar 16: Israel's Naftali Bennett is a multi-millionaire former high-tech entrepreneur who made a name in politics with hardline religious-nationalist rhetoric and who could be the kingmaker following Israel's election next week. Bennett leads the Yamina party, which has backed Israel's proposed annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, while Bennett himself has made pitches to hard

Dubai: The UAE passport ranks first in the Arab world with Kuwait second and Qatar third, according to Nomad Capitalist, the global consulting firm. Internationally, the UAE passport ranks 38th, Kuwait 97th and Qatar 98th. Oman ranked fourth in the Arab world (103rd), and Bahrain fifth (105th). Kuwaiti passport holders can enter 96 countries without a visa or obtain visa online. Nomad Capitalist

Israeli forces have attacked Palestinian worshipers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied Old City of Jerusalem al-Quds, detaining five people. According to Palestinian sources, the Israeli forces attacked the Muslim worshipers and fired stun grenades at them after Friday prayers, forcing the Palestinians to leave the al-Aqsa Mosque through al-Asbat Gate. The Israeli troops had also

Riyadh, Mar 12: Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has confirmed May 17 (Shawwal 5 or four days after Eid al-Fitr) as the date for the resumption of international airports and the complete opening of airports all over the Kingdom. In a circular on Wednesday, the GACA informed all airlines operating from the Saudi airports about the change of the date mentioned in an earlier

Dubai, Mar 10: Emirates airline has introduced up to two free night stays at a five-star hotel as well as 10kg extra baggage allowance and special airfares for passengers bound for Dubai from India. Travellers booking return economy class tickets from India to Dubai until March 28, for travel between March 15 and June 30 are eligible for “a complimentary one-night stay at the JW Marriot Marquis

Dubai, Mar 9: The Emirates Schools Establishment has announced the registration of non-Emirati resident pupils would be carried out between April 4 and 15in public schools in the UAE for the academic year 2021-22. The registration is open to all Grades till 12. However, the enrolment for kindergarten (KG) 1 and 2 in public schools is only available for Emirati pupils. An exception has been made

Abu Dhabi, Mar 8: Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) today issued the updated list of 'Green List' destinations. Passengers arriving from these destinations will be exempt from mandatory quarantine measures after landing in Abu Dhabi and will only be required to undergo PCR testing upon arrival at Abu Dhabi Airport. The three countries that have been added include Kazakhstan