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Mecca

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 taken with low shutter speed, Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 6, 2022. (Amr Nabil/AP)
June 20, 2023, 8:01 pm
Flights between Israel and Saudi Arabia for Muslim pilgrims won’t be ready for Hajj
While US, Saudi and Israeli officials had been working to get line up by end of month, Hanegbi says they weren’t able to pull it off; reason not said to be political
By Jacob Magid
Huda Zaqqout reads from a large copy of a Muslim holy book at her home, a few weeks before she is slated to travel to Mecca for the Muslim pilgrimage of hajj, in Gaza City, May 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
June 15, 2023, 12:08 pm
‘Now I can die in peace’: After long waits, new pilgrims ready for COVID-free hajj
After 3 years in which pandemic limited attendance and long waiting lists swelled further, Muslims from Gaza, Indonesia and the US prepare for once-in-a-lifetime visit to Mecca
By Agencies and ToI Staff
In this photo taken with low shutter speed, Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 6, 2022. (Amr Nabil/AP)
May 21, 2023, 11:54 pm
Israel reportedly in ‘advanced’ talks for direct flights to Hajj in Saudi Arabia
Several outlets claim breakthrough in talks for pilgrimage flights next month, which would ease burden for Muslims making trip; FM Cohen says normalization possible in 6 months
By ToI Staff
A Yemeni national holding a banner that reads: "Umrah for the soul of Queen Elizabeth II, we ask God to accept her in heaven and among the righteous," during a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. (Twitter screenshot, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
September 13, 2022, 12:55 pm
Man arrested for Mecca pilgrimage honoring Queen Elizabeth
Yemeni national violates laws at Islam’s holiest site where carrying banners is forbidden, and ‘umrah’ may only be carried out on behalf of deceased Muslims
By AFP
This July 22, 2019, photo taken from video gives a 360-degree view of Ramadan prayers on the plateau of the Dome of the Rock, which can be seen in The Holy City, a virtual reality experience in the metaverse. (The Holy City VR via AP)
August 8, 2022, 3:06 am
From the Western Wall to Mecca: VR lets virtual pilgrims explore world’s holy sites
Users can tuck a prayer note into a crack of the Western Wall, join thousands of worshipers during Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque or circle around the Kaaba
By LUIS ANDRES HENAO
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, welcomes US President Joe Biden to Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, July 15, 2022. (Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP, File)
July 23, 2022, 9:43 pm
Biden unfazed by Saudi denial of advancement in Israel ties — senior US official
Riyadh was never going to admit allowing Israeli overflights was step toward normalization, official says; but Western diplomat fears Israeli reporter’s Mecca trip may harm effort
By Jacob Magid
Channel 13 reporter Gil Tamary reports from Mecca on July 17, 2022. The face of the man who assisted him is blurred in the background (Screen capture/Channel 13)
July 22, 2022, 4:38 pm
Saudis arrest man who helped Israeli journalist illegally enter Mecca
Case also reportedly opened against Channel 13’s Gil Tamary; his broadcast, in which he visited holy city in defiance of non-Muslim entry ban, has sparked widespread outrage
By ToI Staff and AFP
Channel 13 reporter Gil Tamary reports from Mecca on July 17, 2022. The face of the man who assisted him is blurred in the background (Screen capture/Channel 13)
July 21, 2022, 3:19 am
Israeli gov’t said ‘satisfied’ with reporter, TV network’s apologies over Mecca trip
Source declines to comment on whether Jerusalem was involved in decision by Channel 13 to issue statement that defended segment while apologizing if it offended anyone
By Jacob Magid
Channel 13's Gil Tamary in Mecca, Saudi Arabia with the Grand Mosque in the background from footage broadcast on July 18, 2022. (Screen capture/ Channel 13)
July 19, 2022, 2:06 pm
Israeli TV network scolded by Saudis, Israelis for defying Mecca ban on non-Muslims
Channel 13’s Gil Tamary attacked for disrespecting Islam; he says he sought ‘to showcase importance of Mecca, foster more religious tolerance,’ calls his report ‘great journalism’
By ToI Staff
Channel 13's Gil Tamary in Mecca, Saudi Arabia with the Grand Mosque in the background from footage broadcast on July 18, 2022. (Screen capture/ Channel 13)
July 18, 2022, 10:53 pm
In apparent first, Israeli journalist visits Muslim holy city of Mecca
Channel 13’s Gil Tamary broadcasts himself driving into the Saudi city, where non-Muslims are banned
By ToI Staff
A general view of the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque is seen during the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
July 7, 2022, 7:20 pm
Israel asks Saudi Arabia to allow direct flights for Muslim pilgrims on way to Mecca
Kingdom currently allows pilgrims from Israel but requires them to travel through a third country; direct flights from Tel Aviv would cut costs by half, says Minister Esawi Frej
By Tobias Siegal
A general view of the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque is seen during the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
July 7, 2022, 3:15 pm
A hajj closer to normal: 1 million Muslims begin annual pilgrimage at Mecca
After two years of coronavirus pandemic restrictions, massive religious festival gets underway, though some limitations remain
By amr nabil and Isabel Debre
Muslim pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, durning the hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on August 13, 2019. (Amr Nabil/AP)
April 28, 2022, 7:14 pm
Millions pray at Mecca’s Grand Mosque in largest such event since COVID hit
Believers from all across the world flock to Islam’s holiest site for Ramadan ceremony
By ToI Staff
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