Rain and flu challenge Mecca pilgrims - AP gets it right

A natural part of all religious groups is what outsiders perceive to be a secretiveness or an exclusiveness surrounding their innermost matters. This ubiquitous religious habit, often misperceived to reflect something to hide, or airs of superiority, is completely opposite to...

Source: Saudi hosts Afghan peace talks with Taliban reps

Oh that will really do a lot of good. It's like catching Bin Laden and Bush planning further attacks on America."LONDON, England (CNN) -- In a groundbreaking meeting, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia recently hosted talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban militant...

Muslim call to adopt Mecca time

"Muslim scientists and clerics have called for the adoption of Mecca time to replace GMT, arguing that the Saudi city is the true centre of the Earth.Mecca is the direction all Muslims face when they perform their daily prayers. The call was issued at a conference held in the...

Tibet, a tourist mecca, closed to foreigners: tour operator

"Tibet shut the door to foreign tourists Saturday following China's deadly crackdown on protesters opposed to Beijing's half-century rule of the mountainous region, a booming tourism mecca last year. Tour and hotel operators in China contacted by AFP said foreign visitors...

Train derails in Southern California, acid clouds fill air

NowPublic member riken reports from the scene: Hi, yes the news are true. I work in Coachella a mere 4 miles from this Mecca Town. My local High school is hosting families that were evacuated from the area and they're staying here...

Ireland's new foreign project: Timor-Leste

"Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern named Timor-Leste as a test case for a new Conflict Resolution Unit in his department. The plan is to assist the tiny Asian nation to make the transition to a functioning democracy. But as RTÉ journalist Anne-Marie Green...

Vice President leaves Jakarta for Mecca

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla left for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to perform `umrah` (minor hajj ritual) and to witness the Kabah washing procession in Mecca. The vice president left for Saudi Arabia from Soekarno-Hatta international airport in Cengkareng,...

Some 312 Indonesians die in Saudi during hajj pilgrimage

Mecca (ANTARA News) - A total of 312 Indonesians have died in Saudi Arabia up to Monday (Dec. 31) during this year`s hajj pilgrimage, according to data from the Indonesian hajj information center. Currently, 33 Indonesian hajj pilgrims were being hospitalized in Saudi Arabia,...

Yudhoyono asks Indonesian haj pilgrims to pray for nation

"Religious Affairs Minister M Maftuh Basyuni said President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono has congratulated Indonesian haj pilgrims in Mecca and asked them to pray for the safety and welfare of the Indonesian nation.Speaking before Indonesian haj pilgrimage personnel and officials...