Gulf news

Cameroon village converts to Islam, thanks to king's humanitarian gesture

MINA - An operation to separate a pair of Cameroonian conjoined twins, conducted by Health Minister Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, has eventually led to the conversion of an entire Cameroonian village to Islam. This was revealed by a dignitary from the African state, Sultan Omar, during a v

Haj reaches its peak at Arafat

ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia - An estimated two million Muslims descended from Mount Arafat on Monday, concluding the highlight of the Haj and beginning their trip back to Mecca to finish the annual pilgrimage. White-robed pilgrims struggled after sunset to track back from Arafat, site of the Prophet Moham

Eid prayers Timing in Emirates

Eid-al-Adha will be celebrated in UAE on Tuesday, November 16. Prayer timings for different emirates are Abu Dhabi - 06.55 AM Dubai - 07.00 AM Sharjah - 06.56 AM Al Dhaid - 06.54 AM Ras Al Khaimah - 06.52 AM Fujairah - 06.52 AM Umm Al Quwain - 06.51 AM Ajman - 06.55 AM Submitted By : Syed Fazeel Ay

Pilgrims pour into Mina camp as Haj begins

Makkah Metro will transport some of the 2.5m gathered for the ritualsMakkah: At least 2.5 million Muslims began the annual Haj yesterday, heading to an encampment near the holy city of Makkah to retrace the route taken by the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) 14 centuries ago.Travelling on foot, by public tra

Indian President Pratibha Patil headed for UAE

Pratibha Patil to meet Khalifa, open workers' centre.Abu Dhabi: Indian President Pratibha Patil is coming to the UAE on November 21 on an official visit.She is expected to meet President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on November 22, M.K. Lokesh, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE tol

Pilgrimage can be a costly affair

Pilgrims from around the world are expected to spend 630 million to 700 million Saudi riyals each day during the Haj, according to the Saudi-based daily Al Riyadh.Dubai: The Haj is a priceless spiritual experience, but the entire trip can cost UAE pilgrims from Dh16,000 to Dh150,000 for a 14-day pa

Masdar City plans on track

Clean-energy project will be completed on time without cutting budget , says CEO Abu Dhabi : Masdar, Abu Dhabi's government-backed renewable energy company, is on track to develop a clean-energy city on time and intends to maintain its current level of spending, its chief executive officer said. "We

New Saudi train ready to shuttle Haj pilgrims

The Mashair Railway, also known as Makkah Metro, rolls out on Sunday to serve pilgrims beginning the annual Haj thereby bringing a new solution to crowding. The dual-track light railway, with its initial number of nine stations, connects the three holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Mount Arafat - a

Karnataka want investments from Gulf

Muscat - The potential of Karnataka as an ideal investment state was put forth by captain Ganesh Karnik, Deputy Chairman of the Government appointed NRI Forum Karnataka, who visited Oman from Tuesday to Friday. He appealed to Oman NRIs to take advantage of the good industrial climate of the state an

Friday sermon stirs millions in Makkah

MAKKAH: About two million pilgrims listened with rapt attention to Imam Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais' soul-stirring 40-minute sermon on Friday from the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The sermon was carried live on state television and many Arab, African and Asian television stations. On many occasions during the

Exit/re-entry visa now an SMS away

JEDDAH: Citizens and residents will now be able to get exit/re-entry visas for their dependents through their mobile phones via SMS. The service, which costs SR20 per visa after initial registration, is aimed at reducing lines at Passport Department offices.Raid Mohammad Al-Hussain, spokesperson for

Qatar may scrap worker sponsorship system

Qatar is considering ending the oft-criticised sponsorship system, under which employers sponsor foreign workers and have a great deal of control over them. Qatar's prime minister Sheikh Hamad said on Thursday, "Changes have been made to the sponsorship system in Qatar," and the council of minister

Makkah abuzz as Haj draws near

MAKKAH: There are only 72 hours to go before pilgrims head to the nearby tent city of Mina on the first leg of their five-day journey of a lifetime. All roads across the Kingdom are leading into the holy city where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) received the first verses of the Holy Qur'an

Jamrat Bridge an architectural marvel

JEDDAH: Pilgrims will be able to take advantage of the recently completed Jamrat Bridge's fifth floor this Haj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday. Pilgrims can reach the top floor of the SR4.2 billion ($1.12 billion) multilevel structure with the help of escalators and stairs. The 9

Expats can seek new jobs after end of contract

Abu Dhabi: The Labour Ministry will soon issue a decision allowing workers, whose contracts have ended, to join new jobs if the market is in real need of them, a senior official told the Federal national Council (FNC) on Tuesday. Saqr Gobash Saeed Gobash, Minister of Labour, said in a statement sub

Top-level Urdu Mushaira held at Muscat

Muscat -It was a feast for the Urdu lovers based in Muscat. The Indian SocialWing Urdu Wing, in association with the Embassy ofIndia, organised a top-level Urdu mushaira on Thursday, November 4at 7.30pm at Le Grande Hall of Al Falaj Hotel in Ruwi. Celebratedpoets from different parts of India grace

Eid holidays for public, private sectors, schools

Abu Dhabi - Eid Al-Adha holidays for federal ministries and departments are to start on Monday, November 15th (corresponding to Dhul Hijjah 9th) and ends on Thursday, November 18th. The circular was issued by Humaid Mohammed Al-Qattami, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of the Federal

Air ambulance service for Haj in place

JEDDAH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) will launch its landmark air ambulance services during this year's Haj, said Capt. Abdulhamid Al-Jawfi, director of the Red Crescent's air ambulance operations. The service is being initiated to help pilgrims in case of accidents or emergencies. "The