RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has placed a temporary ban on Umrah pilgrims in an attempt to ensure public safety by preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Most foreign pilgrims often visit the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah before or after the completion of their religious duties in Makkah, this has also been halted. It is one of a number of precautionary restrictions …
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The book rustlers of Timbuktu: how Mali’s ancient manuscripts were saved
When Mali's historic city was taken by rebels, thousands of priceless ancient manuscripts came under threat. We report on a dangerous operation to smuggle the archive to safety At 5am on a Sunday morning, Mohamed Diagayeté was disturbed by an urgent banging on the door of his house in Timbuktu, on the southern edge of the Sahara desert. It was …
Read More »World’s oldest library reopens in Fez: ‘You can hurt us, but you can’t hurt the books’
After years of restoration, the ninth-century Qarawiyyin library in north-eastern Morocco is finally set to reopen – with strict security and a new underground canal system to protect its most prized manuscripts The caretaker stares at the wrought iron door and its four ancient locks with a gleam in his eyes. Outside, the Moroccan sun shines down upon the ornate …
Read More »MUSLIM COUNTRIES FORMING MILITARY ALLIANCE TO FIGHT ISIS TERRORISM BY CRISTINA SILVA
A coalition of 41 Muslim-majority nations is working to create a mobile military force to combat the Islamic State (ISIS) group in Iraq and Syria and militant threats across northern and western Africa. The alliance, known informally as the Muslim NATO, is preparing later this year to hold its first major meeting with defense ministers from across the Muslim world …
Read More »Muslims and Arabs in Australia are tweeting their experiences with racism
"I was called a 'bloody Muslim' on the school run, in front of my daughter. Now don't wear my hijab when she's with me." Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull decided to celebrate Harmony Day (the country's national day for celebrating diversity) on Mar 21 by watering down the race-hate laws in the country. Turnbull said the government will remove the …
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