JEDDAH: Thailand, which has a quota for 13,000 Haj pilgrims, has urged the Kingdom to allow 2,000 more pilgrims to perform this year’s annual pilgrimage. Read More...  

JEDDAH: The secretary-general of the Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL), Abdullah Al-Turki, will chair a meeting of the Islamic Cultural Foundation’s (ICF) constituent council in Geneva on Sunday to discuss a number of topics for promoting dawa activities in Switzerland, the MWL said on Saturday. Read More...  

Manama: Forty five Bahrain residents have converted to Islam during Ramadan, bringing the total number of converts this year to 250, the head of a religious organization has said. Read More...  

Thuwal: Saudi Arabia opened its first co-educational university Wednesday, a high-tech campus with massive funds which reformers hope will spearhead change in the Kingdom. Read More...  

Abu Dhabi: A fatwa released by the official fatwa centre in Abu Dhabi allows worshippers to wear face masks and respirators during prayers to protect them from H1N1 infection. Read More...  

Banda Aceh: Adulterers can be stoned to death and homosexuality is punishable by steep prison terms under a new law passed unanimously by lawmakers in Indonesia's devoutly Muslim Aceh province on Monday. Read More...  

RIYADH: As many as 1,392 expatriates having different nationalities have embraced Islam at Cooperative Dawa and Guidance Office in Riyadh's Suwaidi District, according to a report issued by the office on Friday. Read More...  

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Judiciary Department is considering sending new Muslims to the holy lands to perform Haj and Umrah for free in order to educate them about the teachings of the true Islam and enhance their Islamic identity. Read More...  

BEIRUT: Lebanon's most influential Shiite cleric issued a religious edict yesterday saying Muslims who have serious concerns about contracting swine flu while performing the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia may stay away this year. Read More...