Hajj
Tehran pushes for Saudi Arabia to release Iranian cleric who posted critical video
Gholamreza Qassemian posted a video in which he heavily criticized Saudi Arabia for enabling moral corruption in the kingdom.
Hundreds reportedly died at this year's Hajj in Saudi Arabia
Soaring temperatures scorch pilgrims on Hajj in Saudi Arabia
Iran's Khamenei politicizes Hajj again, calls for global dissociation from Israel
Fourteen Jordanians die during hajj in Saudi Arabia, some succumb to heat
Stampedes, tent fires, heat and other factors have caused hundreds of deaths at the event over the past 30 years.
Syrian pilgrims regain ability to make Hajj thanks to improving relations with Saudi Arabia
Under the auspices of the kingdom's Crown Prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has played a leading role in Syria’s gradual reintegration into the regional fold.
Israel will have direct flights to Mecca by 2024, FM Cohen predicts
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government had hoped it could arrange for direct flights between the two countries, even in advance of the deal, but to date, those efforts have not borne fruit.
Defying high prices, Muslim pilgrims head to Mecca for hajj
Authorities in the kingdom said more than 1.6 million pilgrims had already arrived for the pilgrimage as of Sunday. The gathering officially starts on Tuesday.
Saudi-Iran thaw improves haj services for Iranian pilgrims
Sayid Mahdi, who will be in charge of around 2,800 Iranian pilgrims that will perform haj next week, said Saudi Arabia has been more cooperative in finding hotels for Iranians this year.
Israel says hoped-for direct Hajj flights to Saudi Arabia won't happen now
sraeli and US officials had predicted that the kingdom, home to Islam's two holiest sites, might as a goodwill gesture let members of Israel's 18% Muslim minority fly in directly for this year's Hajj
Israel says it is discussing possible direct Haj flights to Saudi Arabia
Muslims from Israel and the Palestinian territories currently travel to Mecca through third-party countries, which can spell additional expense and bother.
On This Day: The Muslim conquest of Mecca in 630 CE
Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is home to Masjid al-Haram, the largest mosque in the world which has within it the Ka'ba toward which all Muslims pray.
Saudi Arabia opens airspace to Israeli flights ahead of Biden visit
The White House said the decision to open Saudi airspace "paves the way for a more integrated, stable, and secure Middle East."
Saudi Arabia expected to grant access to Israeli air travel - US official
The announcement is expected to come during Biden's visit to Saudi Arabia later this week, the official said. Biden has made it a focus to integrate Israel into the broader Gulf region.
Muslim pilgrims gather for peak of haj east of Mecca
Pilgrims clad in white robes climbed the rocky Mount of Mercy, which oversees the plain of Arafat where the Prophet Mohammad held his last sermon.
