Saudi Arabia

GCC asks Saleh to hand over power

By AGENCIES ARABNEWS SANAA: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) urged Ali Abdullah Saleh to sign a power transfer plan “immediately” as forces loyal to the Yemeni president attacked pro-opposition troops with mortar shells and heavy gunfire Saturday and rooftop snipers picked off unarmed protesters fleeing in panic. The streets of […]

Islam’s holiest site ‘turning into Vegas’

Mecca for the Rich: Islam’s holiest site ‘turning into Vegas’ Historic and culturally important landmarks are being destroyed to make way for luxury hotels and malls “Both [Mecca and Medina] are historically almost finished. You do not find anything except skyscrapers.” – Dr Irfan al-Alawi, executive director, Islamic Heritage Research […]

Naif opens Takfir conference in Madinah

By YOUSUF MUHAMMAD | ARAB NEWS MADINAH: Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif opened an international conference on “The Phenomenon of Takfir (branding opponents as infidels)…Reasons, Impact and Treatment” here on Tuesday. Earlier on arrival at the conference venue, Prince Naif was greeted by Prince Saud bin […]

Smooth Haj transport system stressed

By BADEA ABU AL-NAJA | ARAB NEWS Published: Sep 16, 2011 23:23 Updated: Sep 16, 2011 23:23 MAKKAH: The Tawafa Organization for Non-Arab African Pilgrims has organized two workshops on the frequent transport system being implemented by Saudi authorities for the transportation of pilgrims from certain countries during the peak […]

Oud: The Scent of Arabian Luxury

By RIMA AL-MUKHTAR, RIMA.ALMUKHTAR@ARABNEWS.COM Published: Sep 14, 2011 16:26 Updated: Sep 14, 2011 17:32 A renowned Arab Caliph once said: “If I were a merchant, I would only trade in Oud perfume, so that if I did not make a profit, I would have profited from its sensational scent.” Oud […]