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Haitham el-Tabei

Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 25, 2023. (AP/ Amr Nabil)
June 25, 2023, 9:50 pm
Massive crowds converge at Mecca’s Grand Mosque as annual hajj begins in Saudi heat
Islam’s holiest site to host more than 2 million worshipers from 160 countries, in what Saudi authorities expect to be the largest pilgrimage in history
By Haitham el-Tabei
A Saudi family distributes free tea to pilgrims, as Muslims from around the world arrive to attend the annual Hajj pilgrimage, in the holy Saudi city of Mecca on June 23, 2023. (Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
June 25, 2023, 11:24 am
‘God’s guests’: Saudis safeguard hajj hospitality tradition
Residents of Mecca sustain annual pilgrim multitudes with food and water, a custom they maintain even in an era of luxury accommodation for tourists
By Haitham el-Tabei
In this photo provided by the Saudi Press Agency, SPA, leaders of Arab countries pose for a group picture ahead of the Arab summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Friday, May 19, 2023. (Saudi Press Agency via AP)
May 19, 2023, 10:07 pm
‘A new phase of solidarity’: Assad caps return to Arab fold at Saudi-hosted summit
Zelensky appearance demonstrates host Riyadh’s growing diplomatic clout, as it seeks concrete commitments from Syria on issues including war refugees
By Haitham el-Tabei
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, right, meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, April 12, 2023. (SANA via AP)
April 13, 2023, 3:38 pm
Saudis set to host Arab nation talks on Syria as Mideast diplomacy shifts
Diplomats to discuss divisive issue of possible end to Syria’s 2011 suspension from Arab League over regime’s actions during civil war
By Haitham el-Tabei
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, speaks during the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 14, 2021. (Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP, File)
March 25, 2023, 5:41 am
‘Sea change’: Disruptive Saudi prince shows new pragmatism with Iran
Some analysts believe deal with Tehran signals maturation and realism in Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s regional approach
By Robbie COREY-BOULET and Haitham el-Tabei
A picture taken early January 3, 2023 in Riyhad, shows a billboard welcoming the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo to Arabia's Al Nassr club. (Fayez Nureldine/AFP)
January 3, 2023, 6:37 am
Jubilant Saudis celebrate arrival of soccer star Ronaldo
Portuguese player to earn 200 million euros to play for Al Nassr, helping lift cachet of Saudi soccer and breathing new life into slumping forward after Manchester United blowup
By Haitham el-Tabei
Samer Haj-Yehia (screen), chairman of Israel's Bank Leumi, attends a panel on the third day of the annual Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on October 27, 2022. (Fayez Nureldine/AFP)
October 27, 2022, 8:57 pm
At Riyadh investor forum, top Israeli banker hails Saudi economy’s prospects
Bank Leumi chairman Samer Haj-Yehia says ‘opportunities are amazing and fintech industry on the rise,’ in a rare public appearance by an Israeli in the Gulf kingdom
By Haitham el-Tabei
In this March 7, 2020, file photo, a man walks past a banner showing Saudi King Salman, right, and his Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, outside a mall in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File)
August 31, 2022, 6:51 am
2nd Saudi woman jailed for decades for social media posts — rights group
Nourah al-Qahtani receives 45-year term after being convicted of ‘using internet to tear country’s social fabric’ and ‘violating public order,’ Khashoggi-founded NGO says
By Haitham el-Tabei
Football fans stand beneath a large banner depicting Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz (C) and his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) as they attend the World Cup 2022 Asian qualifying match between Palestine and Saudi Arabia in the town of al-Ram in the West Bank on October 15, 2019. (Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP / File)
June 27, 2022, 11:48 pm
Do signs point to an emerging Israel-Saudi normalization deal?
In recent months, Saudis have taken to social media — which is tightly controlled in the kingdom — to express their support for peace
By Haitham el-Tabei
A woman takes pictures of a skeleton model seated at her table at the horror-themed 'Shadows' restaurant in the Saudi capital Riyadh's Boulevard entertainment city, January 19, 2022. (Fayez Nureldine / AFP)
January 27, 2022, 1:11 pm
In Riyadh, dining with the undead
Saudi restaurant ‘Shadows’ caters to horror film buffs with strong stomachs, allowing them to savor their dishes while staff in gory costumes put on interactive shows
By Haitham el-Tabei
In this photo released by Saudi Royal Palace, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, speaks during the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 14, 2021. (Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP)
December 17, 2021, 11:22 am
The uncrowned king: Bin Salman increasingly taking the reins in Saudi Arabia
WIth growing concerns over the health of the nearly 86-year-old regent, MBS is the de facto ruler of the kingdom
By Haitham el-Tabei
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks during the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 14, 2021. (Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP)
December 15, 2021, 7:46 am
Saudis seek ‘serious’ approach to Iran nuclear program, suggest joining negotiations
Crown prince calls for ‘effective’ progress; foreign minister says that as a nation facing Iranian threat, kingdom should be at talks in Vienna to save 2015 deal
By Haitham el-Tabei
Beachgoers play at floating blow-up water park, at Pure Beach in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia, on September 17, 2021 (Fayez NURELDINE / AFP)
October 16, 2021, 6:08 am
Sun, sea and the opposite sex as Saudi Arabia slowly loosens up
At Pure Beach near Jeddah, there is music, dancing and an inflatable water park, while some women even wear once unthinkable bikinis
By Haitham el-Tabei
Ebrahim Nonoo, the head of the Jewish Community in Bahrain, prays on the sabbath at the House of Ten Commandments Synagogue in the capital Manama on September 4, 2021.(Mazen Mahdi / AFP)
September 14, 2021, 7:33 am
Bahrain Jews worship in public for 1st time in decades thanks to Abraham Accords
Leader Ebrahim Nonoo says he’s bringing Jewish traditions into plain view after community of several dozen had worshipped in private since 1947
By Haitham el-Tabei
Illustrative. Cigarettes in an ashtray. (Yossi Zamir/ Flash90)
February 27, 2020, 4:05 am
‘Happy I can choose’: New era sees Saudi women light up in public
Some are embracing cigarettes, hookah pipes or vaping as a symbol of emancipation
By Haitham el-Tabei
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