Battle over whether Turkey's Hagia Sophia should be a mosque or museum goes to court
Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia site has stood as empires rose and fell around it, as rulers and statesmen came and went, as creeds flourished and withered. As NBC News …
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Saudi Arabia to bar arrivals from abroad to attend haj
Saudi Arabia said it will bar arrivals from abroad to attend the haj this year due to the coronavirus, allowing only a limited number of Saudi citizens and residents to make the pilgrimage with social distancing measures enforced. …
Over 90,000 mosques to reopen in Saudi Arabia
Over 90,000 mosques will reopen on Sunday after being sanitised, Saudi Press Agency announced. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance is all set to reopen more than 90,000 major and minor mosques across the Kingdom, …
Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre reopens after lockdown
Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre has reopened to visitors after a two-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Christian authorities managing the site closed it to visitors in March to prevent the spread of …
Putin congratulates Russia’s Muslims on Eid al-Fitr holiday
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the Muslims in Russia on Eid al-Fitr, a major religious holiday marking the end of the month of fasting Ramadan, the Kremlin press service said on Sunday, TASS reports. "Marking the …
Turkey under curfew across country on first day of Eid
Turkey has entered the Eid al-Fitr celebrations on the second day of a four-day nationwide curfew on May 24, beginning May 22 midnight to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Hurriyet daily reports. Although Turkey usually …
Kadyrov congratulates muslims on Eid al-Fitr
The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, congratulated Muslims on the occasion of Uraza Bairam in a video-message in the Chechen language. The relevant video was published on his Vkontakte page, Kadyrov’s voice on the recording sounds …
Muslims begin to celebrate Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is the festival of breaking the fast that marks the end of Ramadan. This year, Russian Muslims begin to celebrate the holiday with the sunset and continue tomorrow during the day. The Spiritual Administration of …
Ramadan: time for reading Quran and ... Pushkin
It's time for reading and studying the Quran, reflecting on the holy book
Mehriban Aliyeva congratulates Muslims with Ramadan
First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva congratulated the people of Azerbaijan and all Muslims of the world on the beginning of the month of Ramadan. The corresponding message was posted on her official Instagram page. …
Coronavirus and Islam: How to celebrate Ramadan under lockdown
The holiest month on the Islamic calendar is about to start, but coronavirus containment measures mean many Muslims will have to adapt their traditions to life under lockdown: Families, mosques and governments around the world have been …
Saudi Arabia suspends praying in Two Holy Mosques for Ramadan
Saudi Arabia extended the suspension of praying in the Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque during the fasting month of Ramadan to stem the spread of the coronavirus, the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques’ Affairs said on Twitter. …
Holy Fire reaches Moscow
At the Vnukovo airport, a special board landed with the Holy Fire from Jerusalem. The shrine from Israel was delivered by a delegation of the Andrew the First-Called Foundation. The Holy Fire will be transferred to the Cathedral of …
Russian ambassador in Jerusalem receives Holy Fire
For the first time in ten centuries, the Holy Fire ceremony took place behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III passed the lit fire to the servants of the Greek Church and …
President congratulates Russian Buddhists on Lunar New Year
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated the Buddhists of Russia on occasion of the New Year according to a lunar calendar, the Kremlin press service said. "It is important that Russian Buddhists …
U.S. Air Force updates its dress code policy to include turbans, beards and hijabs
The US Air Force has updated its dress code policy to outline a clear approval process for Sikhs and Muslims who want to serve while wearing their articles of faith, CNN reports. Under the new guidelines, which were finalized last week, …
Orthodox Christians mark Epiphany
Worshippers across Russia and Eastern Europe have been braving icy waters for Epiphany, one of the most important holidays in the Orthodox Christian calendar, BBC reports. Celebrated on 19 January, Epiphany commemorates the baptism of …
Religious persecution a growing global problem
Right now, more people are persecuted for their faith than ever, and the large majority of them are Christian
Halal meat to be provided for passengers heading to Magas
The authorities of Ingushetia are ready to arrange halal meat deliveries for in-flight catering to airlines carrying out flights to the republic from Moscow, ” the chairman of the republic’s tourism committee, Beslan …
Pope Francis apologizes for slapping woman's hand on New Year
Pope Francis apologized for having angrily slapped a woman’s arm when she had grabbed hold of his hand and yanked him toward her, saying he had lost his patience and set a “bad example”. Pope Francis had a sharp …
