Mecca

'A paper tiger': Iran sees Saudi, Turkey, Pakistan defense pact as a major win, expert tells 'Post'

“Saudi Arabia has not taken any action against any of the aggressors attacking its territory, meaning Iran, the Houthis and the militias in Iraq. They have not done anything about it.”

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif looks on after they signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 7, 2026.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif looks on after they signed a joint defense agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, August 7, 2026.

Pakistan says defense pact with Turkey, Saudi Arabia is 'purely defensive,' open to other nations

U.S. President Donald Trump points his finger towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they shake hands during a press conference after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 29, 2025.

Why diplomatic deals cannot fix revolutionary ambitions - opinion

Israeli, Iranian, and US flags are seen above US dollars in this illustrative image.

‘Pax Americana’ in the Middle East - opinion


Israel asks Saudis to let Mecca pilgrims fly direct from Tel Aviv

Israel's Regional Cooperation Minister, Esawi Freij, asked Saudi Arabia to allow Muslims to take direct flights from Israel so they can make pilgrimage to Mecca without having to take two flights.

 MUSLIM WORSHIPERS visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

For the first time, Saudi women stand guard in Mecca during Hajj

"This is a huge accomplishment for us and it is the biggest pride to be in the service of religion, the country, and the guests of God".

A female Saudi police officer stands guard as pilgrims perform Tawaf during Hajj/Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Explainer: Who can attend this year’s Hajj?

Islam’s sacred pilgrimage will be limited to 60,000 people already present in the kingdom due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque ahead of annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 16, 2018

Saudi Arabia says COVID-19 vaccination required for 2021 haj

"The COVID-19 vaccine is mandatory for those willing to come to the haj and will be one of the main conditions (for receiving a permit to come)," the report said.

Muslims pray at the Grand Mosque during the annual Haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 6, 2019

Umrah pilgrims return to a Mecca stilled by COVID-19 slump

Before the pandemic, more than 1,300 hotels and hundreds of stores buzzed around the clock to cater to pilgrims visiting the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

General view of Kaaba at empty Grand Mosque, as a preventive measure against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during the holy month of Ramadan, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia May 7, 2020

Sermon suggests Saudi Arabia near normalizing ties with Israel

According to Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, the imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the prophet was so good to his Jewish neighbor that the latter converted to Islam.

Muslim pilgrims maintain social distancing as they circle the Kaaba at the Grand mosque during the annual Haj pilgrimage amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia July 29, 2020

Thousands of Iranians register for, plan to attend hajj amid coronavirus

Considering that Saudi Arabia has not officially announced its position on this year's hajj, registration and selections have gone on as they had in previous years.

General view of Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, which is almost empty of worshippers, after Saudi authority suspended umrah amid the fear of coronavirus outbreak, at Muslim holy city of Mecca

In shadow of coronavirus, Muslims face a Ramadan like never before

The holiest month in the Islamic calendar is usually one of community, reflection, charity and prayer.

Muslim women stand as they pray after eating their iftar (breaking fast) meal during the holy month of Ramadan

Saudi Arabia suspends entry of Mecca pilgrims amid coronavirus spread

Umrah Visits to Mecca After first case of corona is found in Baghdad, Saudi Arabia suspends entry of pilgrims amid spread of virus.

Hajj crowds in Mecca 465 Gallery 6

Saudi Arabia orders arrest of female rapper who produced 'Mecca Girl'

"Our respect to other girls but the Mecca girl is sugar candy," Slay sings in the video, rapping about women who reside in the city of Mecca.

Muslims pray at the Grand Mosque during the annual Haj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 6, 2019