International Features

  All departments involved in changing the kiswa with the advent of the new Islamic year are ready to do so, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques confirmed on Monday. (SPA) RIYADH: All departments involved in changing the kiswa of the Kaaba with the advent of the new Islamic year are ready to do …

Muslim worshippers and pilgrims gather around the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca on 24 June (AFP) More than 2.5 million people are expected to make the holy Hajj pilgrimage now that Covid-19 restrictions have been fully lifted, organisers say The annual pilgrimage of Hajj began in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, with coordinators expecting record-breaking …

Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly —- “Women in Islam: Understanding the Rights and Identity of Women in the Islamic World,” at a meeting of the UN Commission on the Status of Women CSW67 8 March 2023 [As delivered] Honorable Minister, Madame Executive Director, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. I am honoured to join this morning’s …

Lionel Messi of Argentina, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar and Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA are seen in the trophy presentation after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar [Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency] Despite facing an unprecedented scale of criticism and …

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu Turkey will be known as Türkiye at the United Nations from now on, after it agreed to a formal request from Ankara. Several international bodies will be asked to make the name change as part of a rebranding campaign launched by the Turkish president late last year. “Türkiye is the best representation and expression of …

Lars Vilks had lived under police protection since depicting Islam’s revered figure with the body of a dog in 2007. Vilks worked as an artist for almost four decades and rose to fame after producing several controversial works [File: Reuters] Lars Vilks, the Swedish artist who stirred worldwide controversy in 2007 with drawings depicting the Prophet Muhammad with the body …