Asia

Lanka given 150 tons of dates for Ramadan

By MD RASOOLDEEN | ARAB NEWS COLOMBO: The Kingdom donated 150 metric tons of dates to Sri Lanka last week for distribution at mosques during the coming holy month of Ramadan. Ministry of Finance official Mansour Al-Yousef handed the consignment at a simple ceremony at the Saudi Embassy in Colombo […]

Ancient priesthood uses past to predict future

By Majeda El Batsh, Agence France-Presse NABLUS, Palestinian Territories – In the northern West Bank city of Nablus, a small and ancient Samaritan community is managing to make ends meet by dabbling in the age-old practice of fortune-telling. University Avenue, in the hill-ringed city of Nablus, is lined with white […]

Can you try a religion for a month?

By Catrin Nye BBC Asian Network People usually think of religion in terms of a lifetime of commitment, but could you learn anything from trying one out for a month? The call to prayer sounds from Eyup Mosque in Istanbul and local Muslims gather on the marble square outside for […]

Sabotaging Freedom Flotilla II

Two of the foreign ships experienced similar forms of sabotage, creating allegations of Israeli responsibility. The reports that two of the foreign flagged ships planning to be part of the ten vessel Freedom Flotilla II experienced similar forms of disabling sabotage creates strong circumstantial evidence of Israeli responsibility. It stretches […]

Should all shops close during prayers?

By MARIAM NIHAL | ARAB NEWS Locals claim it is not an Islamic law but a man-made one which may hurt people in medical emergencies JEDDAH: Residents in the Kingdom have expressed concern over a rule that halts all activity during prayer times, and called for pharmacies and convenience stores […]

All set for the Jerash Festival

By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – Scores of prominent Arab singers as well as local and international dance and music troupes will take part in the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts, organisers announced on Saturday. Planning for the festival’s cultural and artistic activities is completed and Jerash is ready to […]

Jordan-Saudi summit in Jeddah today

AMMAN (JT) – His Majesty King Abdullah will pay a working visit to Jeddah today for talks with Saudi King Abdullah Ben Abdul Aziz. Talks between the two leaders will focus on means to develop bilateral relations and joint cooperation, a Royal Court statement said. King Abdullah and the Saudi […]

Two Swiss reportedly kidnapped in Pakistan

Armed men on Friday kidnapped two Swiss in south-west Pakistan, news agencies reported. The two Swiss entered Baluchistan province from neighbouring Punjab province around 5pm local time and “had been registered by police at a check point” as tourists from Switerland, a local police official said. Their abandoned vehicle was […]

Free religious lessons in summer

By ARAB NEWS JEDDAH: The alumni of Jamia Nizamia will begin its 15th annual Islamic summer coaching program from Saturday through Aug. 10 at a school building in Azizia district. Classes for boys and girls are separate. There are no fees for this program. ‫ Ex-students of the Islamic university […]

100 OFWs pardoned in Jordan due home in July

At least 100 overseas Filipino workers, most of them distressed household service workers, are due to arrive home from Jordan this month. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said most of the workers are now sheltered at the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Amman. […]