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By Aya Iskandarani

By Aya Iskandarani

Al Monitor

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Inside Saudi's hajj-only barbershop, shaving thousands of heads in a day

Near the holy city of Mecca, men in white robes stand quietly in a long queue, waiting for the next important act of their hajj pilgrimage: a haircut....

latest 0

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

Muslim pilgrims 'stone the devil' as hajj nears end in Saudi Arabia

Huge crowds of pilgrims "stoned the devil" in the last major ritual of the hajj pilgrimage on Friday, as Muslims around the globe celebrated the...

latest 20

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

Muslim pilgrims 'stone the devil' as hajj concludes in Saudi

Huge crowds of pilgrims "stoned the devil" in the last major ritual of the hajj pilgrimage on Friday, as Muslims around the globe celebrated the...

latest 0

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

Muslim pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat in hajj apex

Muslim worshippers prayed on Mount Arafat during the high point of the hajj pilgrimage Thursday, as authorities urged them to avoid the hottest hours...

yesterday 3

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

Saudis use AI, drones and thousands of cameras to keep hajj pilgrims safe

Working day and night in front of maps, screens and seemingly endless data, Saudi officials have harnessed artificial intelligence to help manage the...

previous day 3

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

Million-plus pilgrims to begin hajj under blazing sun

More than 1.5 million pilgrims joined Islam's most important rite under a beating sun on Wednesday, as the hajj kicked off with the Saudi hosts...

previous day 2

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

Saudi readies for 'worst case scenario' in sweltering hajj

Near a sprawling tent city outside Mecca, Saudi hospital staff are preparing for a flood of heat-related cases as Muslim pilgrims begin hajj this week...

wednesday 10

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

As Trump family's Gulf empire grows, rulers seek influence, arms, tech

Ahead of US President Donald Trump's Gulf visit next week, his son Eric was promoting his crypto firm in Dubai, while Don Jr prepared to talk about...

12.05.2025 10

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

US, Iran hold 'constructive' nuclear talks in Oman

The United States wants a nuclear agreement "as soon as possible", Iran said after rare talks on Saturday, as US President Donald Trump threatens...

13.04.2025 5

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

First US-Iran nuclear talks in years start in Oman

The United States wants a nuclear agreement "as soon as possible", Iran said after rare talks on Saturday, as US President Donald Trump threatens...

13.04.2025 5

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

Iran delegation in Oman for high-stakes nuclear talks with US

The United States wants a nuclear agreement "as soon as possible", Iran said after rare talks on Saturday, as US President Donald Trump threatens...

13.04.2025 10

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

Israeli military begins Lebanon withdrawal as deadline approaches

A Lebanese official said Israeli troops had started withdrawing Monday from some border villages, after Israel's military said it would remain in five...

19.02.2025 2

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

Israeli military set to miss Lebanon withdrawal deadline despite pushback

A Lebanese official said Israeli troops had started withdrawing Monday from some border villages, after Israel's military said it would remain in five...

18.02.2025 3

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

Saudi FM says confident of reform under new Lebanon leaders

Saudi Arabia's top diplomat, on his country's first high-level visit to Beirut after years of strained ties, said Thursday that he believed crisis-hit...

24.01.2025 4

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

Syria phone shops free from Assad-linked monopoly

Syrian phone shop owner Abdel Razzaq Hamra was thrilled to finally be working in peace after years of being harassed and detained by security...

21.01.2025 6

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani

Fear grips Alawites in Syria's Homs as Assad 'remnants' targeted

In Syria's third city Homs, members of ousted president Bashar al-Assad's Alawite community say they are terrified as new authorities comb their...

12.01.2025 4

Al Monitor

By Aya Iskandarani