Dubai: Khalifa Al Tajer, claimed to be the first eco-friendly mosque in the Islamic world, was opened to worshippers in Dubai on Friday by the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF). The mosque, which can accommodate 3,500 worshippers, is located at the Port Saeed area in Dubai and spans mo

Sharjah: Blasting off to Mars by 2021 will require the UAE to draft an enormous space exploration blueprint, say space exploration experts. The UAE announced on Wednesday that it will be sending an unmanned spacecraft to Mars by 2021, coinciding with the country’s 50th anniversary. It was also

The salaries of expatriates in the private sector rose by 25 percent while those of Saudis declined by 1 percent during 2013, according to a report published by Al-Eqtisadiah business daily on Thursday, quoting figures released by the Labor Ministry and the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA). “

With the end of Ramadan drawing closer, speculation is rife that UAE residents will enjoy an extended weekend by the end of the month. One thing is for certain, the country’s tourism industry will benefit immensely from a long Eid Al Fitr holiday, analysts said. Astronomers have said t

Hatem Al-Qadi, spokesman for the Ministry of Haj said his ministry has decided to keep in place the reduction in the numbers of domestic and international pilgrims by 50 percent and 20 percent respectively. He explained that the decision will continue to take effect owing to the huge expansion pr

Dubai: Ajman and Dubai Government employees will receive their July salaries early to help them prepare for Eid Al Fitr celebrations. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, ordered the early salary deposit for

Dubai: Electronic devices bought at Dubai Duty Free could cost a passenger their flight due to new security regulations at Dubai International, Dubai Duty Free confirmed on Monday. On July 8, Dubai International introduced new security checks as part of a US Department of Homeland Security warn

Abu Dhabi: A total of 36 major intersections across the capital will be monitored by advanced radars from July 15 onwards, the Abu Dhabi Police announced on Saturday. The radars, which make use of 108 flash-free cameras, can detect a host of traffic violations, including speeding, motorists who

Dubai: A new exhibition on the ‘Scientific Miracles of the Holy Quran’ is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre until Monday. Located at Zabeel Hall, it is part of the 13th edition of the annual Ramadan Forum, which also ends Monday. A dozen illustrated and computer animated poste

Efforts under way in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar to change perceptions about Ramadan meals Manama: Mirvat heaved a deep sigh as she gave away two dishes of rice to the man standing in front of their house in Riffa in central Bahrain. “I am grateful to all the people who try to help in re

Riaydh: Saudi Arabia has started issuing recruitment visas for domestic maids from India under a new employment contract finalised by the two nations, media reported on Thursday. Saudi Deputy Labour Minister Mufarrij Al Huqbani said in a statement that the joint Saudi-Indian joint committee on

Manama: Fighting extremism has become more important than monitoring violations at local markets, the head of the Saudi Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, the religious police, has said. “Your mission is no longer confined to monitoring shops that remain open dur

Dubai: The first half of 2014 saw a 30 per cent increase in the number of residency visas issued compared with the same period in 2013. There were 570,917 new residency visas issued in the first half of 2014 as opposed to 436,993 in 2013. Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director

Madinah: Security officers in Saudi Arabia have arrested nearly 2,200 illegal foreign workers in Madinah and Hail and Baha this month for allegedly violating the country’s residency and labor regulations. Madinah police arrested 884 Asian and African illegals during Ramadan following numerous ins

Dubai: Dubai is bundling a lot of “world firsts” for the Mall of the World development – its most ambitious project since the emirate’s economic revival began in earnest since early 2012. The project is to be the retail and hospitality showpiece development for the Expo 2020 in Dubai, alongside the

The Ministry of Haj expects the number of visas for Umrah visitors to exceed 6 million this year, with over 400,000 likely to arrive this month alone. Bander Al-Hajjar, minister of Haj, said the ministry issued more than 6 million visas, adding that more than 5.6 million pilgrims arrived for Umra

By: Rohail Khan,   E-mail: rohailkhan00@gmail.com Ramadan 2014 is being celebrated with traditional fervour in Saudi Arabia. Sizzling summer and 15 hour-long fast, is noteworthy this Ramadan Influx of Umra visitors from abroad is rapidly on the rise. Over 500,000 visitors are expected in Ma

Dubai: Security is being tightened in airports across Europe and the Middle East with direct air flights to US destinations after intelligence reports from Washington’s agencies suggest that terrorists are plotting a new series of attacks on aviation targets. The heightened security comes as US