Culture

Mount Arafat, July 30: Muslim pilgrims converged Thursday on Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat for the climax of this year's hajj, the smallest in modern times and a sharp contrast to the massive crowds of previous years. A tight security cordon has been erected all around the foot of the rocky hill outside Mecca, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy. Pilgrims, donning masks and observing...

Jeddah, Jul 31: Hajj 2020 pilgrims arrived in Muzdalifah Thursday night to rest after spending the day in Arafat. Earlier, the pilgrims scaled Mount Arafat to pray and repent, as a highly unusual Hajj approached its climax. They listened to a sermon delivered by Sheikh Abdullah Al-Manea and prayed Dhuhr and Asr prayers together at the Al-Namirah Mosque in Arafat. This year’s pilgrimage is the...

Makkah, July 30: Like every year, the Kiswa (black cloth) of holy Kaaba was replaced on Wednesday night, a process administered by the staff of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques in accordance with the annual tradition, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al-Mansouri, deputy head of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques and...

Dubai, Jul 29: Muslim pilgrims on Wednesday begin the annual Haj, downsized this year as the Saudi hosts strive to prevent a coronavirus outbreak during the five-day pilgrimage. The Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam and a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, is usually one of the world's largest religious gatherings. But this year only up to 10,000 people already...

Ayodhya, Jul 27: With days to go for the August 5 "bhoomi pujan" ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the mosques adjacent to the demolished Babri Masjid premises are spreading the message of a peaceful coexistence of Hindus and Muslims. There are eight mosques and two mausoleums located close to the 70-acre Babri Masjid premises mandated by the Supreme Court for a temple of Sri Ram. Azaan and...

Istanbul: Mosques in Turkey reopened on Friday for mass prayers after more than two months as the government further eased strict restrictions to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. Turkey has been shifting since May to a "new normal" by easing lockdown measures and opening shopping malls, barbershops and hair salons. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said many other sites -- restaurants and...

In a development which highlights the diversity in the United Kingdom’s legal system, a 40-year-old Muslim woman has become the first hijab-wearing judge in the country. Raffia Arshad, a barrister, was appointed a deputy district judge on the Midlands circuit last week after 17-year career in law. She said her promotion was great news for diversity in the world’s most respected legal system. She...

From loudspeakers on the roof of a Minnesota mosque, the Islamic call to prayer echoed for the first time ever throughout a Minneapolis neighbourhood late on Thursday as the Muslim community there prepared to begin the holy month of Ramadan. It echoed again on Friday morning and will continue five times a day during the holy month. The simple, short call - known as the adhan - marked an historical...

Mangaluru, Dec 14: St Anthony’s Ashram Jeppu held ‘Christa Namana 2019’ a Christmas programme on 13th at St Anthony’s Ashram Jeppu. Dr Sreevarma Heggade of Annapoorna Dasa, Mangalore was the chief guest. In his message he highlighted the value of ‘live and let live’ preached and practiced by Jesus. He appreciated the teachings of Jesus in ‘the sermon of the mount’ which advocate non-violence and...

Change, fascinate us. It is one of the most common things desired no matter at what age group we are? Change… one of the common phenomenon we come across with, for every one of us changes inspire, they have an alluring attraction, at times appear quite synonymous to our nature. Let us revisit different spheres and ideas of change. Changes are Inevitable The most inevitable thing on earth is...