Gaza-Egypt Border Open for the Weekend

For two days (today and tomorrow), the Rafa crossing from Gaza into Egypt will be open, allowing students, pilgrims, and those seeking medical treatment abroad to leave the embattled territory."The border has mainly been shut by Egypt since Hamas militants seized control of...

Bombings kill 43 in Baghdad, Kirkuk

Gunmen ambushed Shiite pilgrims in the a Sunni town south of Baghdad Monday. The pilgrims were marching to a major shrine there for a religious holiday.The area is a former stronghold of Al Qaeda in Iraq and was touted as one of the success stories of the US military surge,...

40 killed in Iraq suicide attack

Another suicide bombing in Iraq, this time targeting pilgrims."An official told the BBC that a bomber wearing a suicide vest had detonated his device in a crowd. At least 60 people were injured in the attack.The blast happened on a main route to the Shia city of Karbala,...

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...

Minister: staying permits in Saudi Arabia often abused

"In 2007, the number of Indonesians already deported had reached 22,116. The deportation cost was covered by the Saudi Arabian government including for the deportation of 600 Indonesians who were arrested in Aziziah, Mekkah, last Friday. As to the newly arrested Indonesians,...

Saudi plans monorail for Muslim holy places: report

Riyadh (ANTARA News) - Saudi Arabia is planning a five billion dollar monorail network to transport millions of pilgrims around the Muslim holy sites during the annual hajj pilgrimage, a Saudi daily reported on Monday. The oil-rich desert kingdom is to carry out a feasibility...