Ministry reopens 7 Saudi mosques after sanitization

Saudi cleric Hammoud Al-Labban recites the call to prayer at an empty al-Mirabi Mosque in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (AP file photo)
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Updated 14 June 2021
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Ministry reopens 7 Saudi mosques after sanitization

  • Nearly 177 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported around the world since the outbreak of the pandemic, and more than 3.8 million people have died after contracting the virus

RIYADH: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance reopened seven mosques in three regions that were temporarily closed for cleaning after coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases were confirmed among worshippers.
COVID-19 infections have led to 1,562 mosques in the Kingdom being forced to close in the past 127 days. They were reopened after sanitization measures were completed.
The ministry said on Sunday that three mosques were reopened in Qassim and Jazan each, and one in Riyadh.
The ministry urged worshippers and mosque employees to follow precautionary measures, including wearing face masks, using their own prayer mats and maintaining social distance.
Nearly 177 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported around the world since the outbreak of the pandemic, and more than 3.8 million people have died after contracting the virus.
Infections have been reported in more than 220 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019. Nearly 161 million people have recovered from COVID-19.

 


Saudi foreign ministry welcomes second phase of Gaza peace plan, formation of transitional committee

Updated 16 January 2026
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Saudi foreign ministry welcomes second phase of Gaza peace plan, formation of transitional committee

  • Ministry also thanked US President Donald Trump for his leadership and efforts to end the war in Gaza

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday welcomed the announcement of the second phase of a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ministry said it also welcomed the formation of the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of the Gaza Strip as a temporary transitional body, established under UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which met in Cairo on Friday.

In a statement, the ministry also thanked US President Donald Trump, who declared the formation of the Gaza “board of peace,” for his leadership and efforts to end the war in Gaza.

It highlighted his commitment to the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the prevention of any annexation of parts of the West Bank, and efforts to advance sustainable peace in the region.

The ministry commended the role of mediators Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye, stressing the importance of international and regional cooperation in supporting the peace process.

It underlined the need to support the work of the temporary Palestinian National Committee in managing the daily affairs of Gaza’s residents, while preserving the institutional and geographical link between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, ensuring Gaza’s unity and rejecting any attempts to divide it.

The statement also called for consolidating the ceasefire, halting violations, ensuring the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and accelerating early recovery and reconstruction efforts across Gaza.

It said these steps were essential to enabling the Palestinian National Authority to resume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, leading to an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory in Gaza and the West Bank and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in line with UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the two-state solution.