Saudi Arabia has suspended iftar, suhoor and I'tikaf at mosques across the kingdom during Ramadan, which starts this month, in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Ramadan is expected to begin around April 13, although the exact date has yet to be declared.
Islamic Affairs Minister Abdullatif Al Sheikh announced on Tuesday that the often large gatherings to break the daily fast during Ramadan will not be taking place inside the kingdom’s mosques this year.
The measures are being taken to prevent a rising number of Covid-19 cases, he said.
Saudi Arabia reported an increase in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks. The seven-day rolling average of new cases went from 338 on March 1 to 644 daily on April 5.
Officials have warned the public that they must remain vigilant during Ramadan to avoid a surge in cases.
Iftar is the meal taken to break the fast during Ramadan, and large communal gatherings are common. Suhoor is the final pre-dawn meal before the fasting day begins.
I'tikaf is the practice of staying in a mosque for several days at a time to pray and reflect, often undertaken in the final 10 days of Ramadan.
On Monday, the kingdom announced pilgrims undertaking Umrah during Ramadan must be vaccinated against the coronavirus or otherwise be immune.
Permits to perform Umrah will be granted to applicants who can demonstrate immunity from the virus.
This includes having had two doses of vaccine, having received one dose at least 14 days prior to arrival or having recovered from the virus recently, the Hajj and Umrah Ministry told the Saudi state news agency.
Those working in the Hajj and Umrah sectors must be vaccinated before the start of Ramadan, the ministry previously said.
Employees who are not vaccinated must provide a negative PCR test result every seven days, in line with broader rules brought in across the kingdom’s hospitality and services industries.
Authorities said they will increase inspections during the holy month to ensure that the public is complying with social distancing measures.
Company%20profile
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'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'
Rating: 1 out of 4
Running time: 81 minutes
Director: David Blue Garcia
Starring: Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Scoreline
Liverpool 3
Mane (7'), Salah (69'), Firmino (90')
Bournemouth 0
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S
Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm
Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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Japan
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Canada
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South Korea
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Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
'Nope'
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The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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