Authorities in Saudi Arabia have defended restrictions on mosque volume reduction orders. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Saudi Arabia announced last week that all loudspeakers should be set to only one-third of their maximum volume. Abdullatif al-Sheikh, the Islamic Affairs Minister, said the move was in response to public complaints. Consequently, a backlash was triggered on social media against this decision.
According to Israel’s Finance Ministry, UAE signs tax treaty with Israel, paving the way for business development between the two states after normalizing relations last year. In 2022, if the convention is ratified by the Israeli parliament and ministers, it will become the 59th tax convention Israel has signed. Moreover, the agreement limits tax deductions, profits, and royalties.
The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair displayed an 11th-century copy of Holy Quran. In addition, this copy of the Holy Quran is unique and worth Dhs 500,000. These historically significant manuscripts, books, and maps demonstrate how astronomy, medicine, mathematics, and maps evolved over time. It also narrates how Arab and foreign civilizations and sciences flourished between the 11th and 19th centuries.
A photo of 67 children killed in Gaza appears on the cover of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, along with the words “this is the price of war”. However, these are the faces of the children killed by Israeli airstrikes. Haaretz has been applauded by human rights advocates and journalists for its “unprecedented” cover story.
It is the first time a “Yellow Fungus” has been identified in a human person in a COVID patient in India. This comes after an outbreak of black and white fungi has ravaged hospitals across the country, which is experiencing one of the worst outbreaks around. The symptoms of yellow fungus are more hidden and start internally, which can be dangerous as it could delay diagnosis.
World Health Organization report shows that the Indian Covid-19 variant has spread to 53 countries. According to unofficial data in the UN health agency’s weekly epidemiological update, the WHO has also received information that the B.1.617 variant has been found in seven more countries. This makes the total for 60 sites as of this week.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US would reopen its Jerusalem consulate, a diplomatic link between the United States and the Palestinians. In addition, Blinken reiterated that Washington intends to ensure Hamas does not benefit from humanitarian aid, which could be a difficult task in a tightly controlled enclave.
On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, the first lunar eclipse of the year will take place in the early morning hours. This is also called a “Super Blood Moon” due to the reddish-orange color of the moon. A Supermoon, a lunar eclipse, and a blood moon, all rolled into one, is a surefire spectacle for sky gazers.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appears to have held for a 4th straight day; US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Middle East on Monday to meet Israeli and Palestinian officials as other regional leaders. In response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Biden urged his top diplomat to travel to Gaza.
The Tehreek-e-Kashmir (TeK) called for a Kashmir martyrs’ day protest on Sunday that was attended by many Pakistanis and Kashmiris. There were few events, including digital campaigns from London to Glasgow. Moreover, the protest was against Indian forces’ brutal violence against Kashmiris. On May 21, 1990, Indian forces killed 70 unarmed Kashmiris. Therefore, this is clear evidence that Indian forces have committed brutality and massacres.