News updates

Ramadan is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar, which begins with the sighting of the crescent moon. By Alia Chughtai and Marium Ali The first day of fasting for the holy month of Ramadan in Mecca will likely be Thursday, March 23, depending on the sighting of the new moon. Ramadan is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar, which begins with the sighting of the …

The booksellers of Baghdad’s Mutanabbi Street have faced invasion and bombings, two decades on from the war in Iraq. A statue of Abu al-Tayyib al-Mutanabbi stands on the banks of the Tigris, gesturing towards the water to people walking down the street named after him [Abdulrahman Zeyad/Al Jazeera] Baghdad, Iraq – Haj Mohammed al-Khashali has outlived four sons and one grandson, …

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia donated 50 tons of dates to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. His Excellency Khalid Hamoud Alkahtani, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sri Lanka, officially handed over this consignment of dates to Hon. Vidura Wickremanayake, Minister of Buddhashasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, …

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Sri Lanka, Khalid Hamoud Alkahtani, has outlined the role of women in the Kingdom’s ‘Vision 2030’ programme. The Saudi Ambassador highlighted the measures during an interview to mark ‘International Women’s Day’ which is commemorated today, 08th March. The full interview: Q/ Could Your Excellency tell us about the role of women …

Some cleanup efforts have begun but forecasters warn more rain is on the way. A cleanup is under way in parts of Malaysia after days of rain-triggered flooding forced thousands from their homes and killed at least four people. Nearly 50,000 people had been affected by the floods as of Monday morning at 8am (00:00 GMT), state news agency Bernama …