Mecca

Why diplomatic deals cannot fix revolutionary ambitions - opinion

Washington seeks a manageable relationship; Tehran seeks a revolution. No treaty can bridge that gap.

U.S. President Donald Trump points his finger towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they shake hands during a press conference after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., December 29, 2025.
Israeli, Iranian, and US flags are seen above US dollars in this illustrative image.

‘Pax Americana’ in the Middle East - opinion

(Illustrative) Palestinian members of al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement.

Hamas seeks to exploit Hajj pilgrimage to smuggle funds into Gaza - report

 Muslims perform their evening prayers around the holy Kaaba as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 16, 2023.

Normalization with Saudi Arabia cannot begin while Mecca broadcasts antisemitic hate - editorial


Normalization? The Mecca sermon no one in the West wants to hear - opinion

Two days before the horrific terror attack in Sydney, the designated weekly preacher in Mecca delivered a sermon that was openly antisemitic, anti-Jewish, and anti-Israel.

A HEAD PRIEST delivers eid sermon during Eid al-Adha prayers at the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, India, on June 7, 2025.

Saudi Arabia executes two people for plotting attacks on places of worship

The two men also planned attacks against security facilities and personnel, Saudi state news agency SPA reported, citing a statement from the interior ministry.

 Saudi security forces train in preparation for the annual haj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 3, 2022.

Saudi authorities release Iranian cleric arrested for bad mouthing Kingdom, Sunnah

Iranian cleric Ghasemian was arrested in Mecca for insulting Saudi Arabia but was quickly released and returned to Iran before completing Hajj. Both countries downplayed the incident.

 Muslims perform their evening prayers around the holy Kaaba as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 16, 2023.

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.

 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks during a joint press conference with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Tehran, Iran, February 25, 2025.

Hundreds reportedly died at this year's Hajj in Saudi Arabia

Over 1.83 million Muslims from 22 countries participated in the pilgrimage this year. Significant security presence at the hospital when an official read out the names of the deceased.

Muslim pilgrims take part in the annual haj pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia, June 16, 2024.

Iran's Khamenei politicizes Hajj again, calls for global dissociation from Israel

His statements of address during this year's Hajj echo his historical pattern of using the pilgrimage as a platform for political statements against Israel and the US.

Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba and pray at the Grand mosque ahead of annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 16, 2018

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.

Muslim pilgrims cast their stones at a pillar symbolising Satan, during the annual haj pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia, June 16, 2024.

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.

 Muslims perform their evening prayers around the holy Kaaba as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 16, 2023.

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.

 Muslims perform their evening prayers around the holy Kaaba as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 16, 2023.

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.

 Muslims perform their evening prayers around the holy Kaaba as they start arriving to perform the annual Haj in the Grand Mosque, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 16, 2023.