Kaaba

Umrah: My long anticipated journey to the Holy Kaaba

Referred to as “the greatest journey of a lifetime” by the 14th century traveller Ibn Battuta, pilgrimage to the Kaaba has been a source of blessings for Muslims around the world for 1,400 years. Here's how my journey to the holy sanctuary unfolded.

One million Muslims begin initial Hajj rites in Mecca

Muslims begin the first day of rites at Islam's holiest site as the Hajj pilgrimage reaches attendance numbers nearing pre-pandemic years.

Muslim pilgrims begin largest Hajj since Covid pandemic

One million fully vaccinated Muslims are set to take part in this year's Hajj pilgrimage, the largest number since the start of the pandemic.

In pictures: Pilgrims flock to Mecca for biggest Hajj since pandemic

Saudi Arabia will welcome one million people, including 850,000 from abroad, for the Hajj pilgrimage after two years of curtailed numbers due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

How Prophet Muhammad and his companions experienced the first Ramadan

In the vicinity of deserts, where food and water sources were scarce, the first Muslims in Medina learned to fast all day long under Prophet Muhammad’s guidance.

Turkiye: Visiting Kaaba in metaverse is not real Hajj

Turkiye's Directorate of Religious Affairs says that although the metaverse visit of the Kaaba can be performed, it will "never be considered a real worship."

Saudi female officers allowed to guard Islam’s holiest sites for first time

Since April, dozens of female soldiers have become part of the security services that monitor pilgrims in Mecca and Medina.

Pilgrims ascend Mount Arafat in high point of this year's Hajj

Just 60,000 people, all citizens or residents of Saudi Arabia, have been selected to take part in this year's Hajj, with foreign pilgrims again barred due to the restrictions over coronavirus pandemic.

In pictures: the doors of Kaaba open for Pakistan's Prime Minister

Prime Minister Imran Khan entered the house of God during his official visit to Saudi Arabia.

In pictures: Muslims navigate curbs during another pandemic Ramadan

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many Muslim-majority countries have imposed restrictions on worshippers, including night-time curfews, and called for prayers to be performed at home during the fasting month.

Four historical lockdowns of the holy city of Mecca

As Hajj pilgrimage is under risk of cancellation for this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, people ask: is it the first lockdown in history?

Saudi official urges Muslims to delay Hajj plans over virus

The kingdom closed off the holy cities of Mecca and Medina to foreigners over the coronavirus fears, a step which wasn’t taken even during the 1918 flu epidemic that killed tens of millions worldwide.