Born to help: Syria bikers deliver Ramadan meals
The volunteers don their club's signature blue vest, the front and back embroidered with their emblem: a flaming motorbike and the Syrian flag.
Young Libyans take to e-gaming in a big way as tech revolution sweeps the region
Tripoli's mushrooming arcades have driven rapid growth in Libya's nascent gaming community, Mattouss says. The increasingly organized community is "motivating players and pushing other young people without experience to start training". He predicts that the sector will continue developing quickly.TRENDS Poll: Inflation takes biggest bite from Gulf household incomes during Ramadan
The poll discovers people struggling across the Middle East to cope with high cost of living in the holy month of Ramadan, with inflation in some places reaching 100.Arab thaw: Egypt’s Sisi likely to meet Syria’s Assad this month
Cairo. Egypt - The Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is planning to hold a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Bashar Al-Assad towards the end of April, Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. Cairo and Damascus are in the process of restoring diplomatic ties and the high-level meeting is expected to...Man killed by police in old Jerusalem, says Israel
Israeli police said they shot dead an Arab Israeli who grabbed a gun from an officer and fired it in a scuffle in the Old City of Jerusalem. Police said the attack took place around midnight near the Chain Gate, an access point to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Israeli-annexed...Millions rely on humanitarian assistance for survival
“Human life in any circumstance is precious. It is God’s gift and therefore deserves to be nurtured and lived to the fullest. With our Zakat Appeal this year, we are fostering hope for a better tomorrow, not only for refugees and vulnerable people but for all of us,” adds the...Egyptians cling to Ramadan charity as inflation soars
Families have buckled under the weight of inflation, which hit 32.9 percent in February as Egyptians tried to fill their shelves ahead of the Islamic holy month of daytime fasting and special evening meals, known as iftar. "Last year, we were giving out 360 iftar meals every day -- this...Lebanese squabble over decision to push daylight savings
Beirut, Lebanon - A last-minute decision in Lebanon to delay daylight savings by a month has been met with opposition from the influential church, leaving the small country divided between two time zones. Wracked by a crippling economic meltdown and political deadlock, a seemingly odd question was added on Sunday to...Good vegetable crops boost Qatar’s food security
"To support productive Qatari farms in marketing their products directly and to ensure that consumers obtain their needs for fresh local vegetables, the agricultural product yards will continue to operate during Ramadan. The agricultural product yards programs was launched by the Ministry of Municipality," he adds.Robust customer protection makes UAE market stable
"Despite the challenges faced by the global supply chains due to today’s political and economic developments, the Ministry made sure that no unjustified price hikes were implemented by suppliers. The methods for combating monopoly practices and supporting sound trade practices have also been strengthened,” he adds.Funding for UN refugee operations swells via Zakat Fund
Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah Bin Thani Al-Thani of Qatar, who serves as a UNHCR advocate, has been the biggest contributor to the fund, providing more than $110 million to date, or more than half of total contributions.Ramadan contributes to revitalizing economic growth
Consumer behavior is affected by cultural factors, customs, marketing campaigns, advertising, and competitions of merchants and suppliers, which can lead to an imbalance in supply and demand and affect price levels during the Holy Month, adds Prof Rajab Abdulla Al Esmail .Saudi, Iran foreign ministers hold Ramadan call, vow to meet ‘soon’
Reaffirming their resolve to implement a landmark bilateral reconciliation deal, the Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers spoke by phone to mark the beginning of Ramadan and vowed to meet soon. The two ministers "exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan", which begins in both countries on...Quake-hit Syrians brace for subdued Ramadan
Now displaced in the rebel-held countryside of northern Syria, she places on the bare ground of her shelter a few bags of bulgur, dates, rice and sweets for breaking the fast during the Muslim holy month which begins on Thursday. "Ramadan this year will not be like the year before,...Libyans brace for low-caffeine Ramadan days
The love for espresso is the relic of the Italian colonial rule in Libya. Tripoli is dotted with cafes, all equipped with sophisticated Italian coffee machines.Israel, Palestine seek ‘to restore calm’ in West Bank at Cairo meet
Cairo, Egypt - Israeli and Palestinian officials were holding talks in Egypt on Sunday "to restore calm" after a surge in deadly violence in the occupied West Bank, Egypt's foreign ministry said. The meeting, which follows similar talks last month in Jordan where both sides pledged to prevent more violence, comes...High vegetable prices, inflation hit Moroccans ahead of Ramadan
The situation has been made worse by a crisis facing the agricultural sector, which makes up 14 percent of gross domestic product. The worst drought in four decades has been compounded in recent weeks by a snap of unusually cold weather. The government has boosted subsidies on some basic products...UAE astronaut says not required to fast during Ramadan on ISS
Asked at a press conference Wednesday how he will observe the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims typically fast from dawn to sunset, Neyadi said his situation falls under an exception. "I'm in... the definition of a traveler, and we can actually break fast," Neyadi said. "It's not compulsory." "Actually...Yemen’s Houthi rebels consider extending truce
Yemen's Houthi rebels said Wednesday they are considering renewing a United Nations-brokered truce with the government which expires in two weeks. The Houthis' "Supreme Political Council will consider the request for an extension of the truce, which ends on June 2," the rebels' Saba news agency said.First commercial flight in six years leaves Yemen’s capital
The first commercial flight in nearly six years took off from Yemen's rebel-held capital on Monday, a major step forward in a peace process that has provided rare relief from conflict. The Yemenia plane carrying 126 passengers, including hospital patients needing treatment abroad and their relatives, took off from Sanaa...Jordan sees increased food demand in Ramadan
Medium- and low-income Jordanian families spend 45 per cent of their income on food, and are the most impacted group by high pricesRamadan brings $6bn windfall for MENA
The spending through the month of April has been widespread, including a broader increase in sales volume and a diversification of family-oriented retail options that enhance the prosperity of the local market.Iftar lightens the pocket in GCC
Here’s a look at how the price of an Iftar meal compares to a standard meal eaten in moths other than Ramadan.UAE government holiday for Eid al-Fitr begins on 29th day of Ramadan
The holiday will last till the third day of the month of Shawwal, which is yet to be declared.UAE hotel industry basks in festive Ramadan spirit
Now, hotel bookings will rise for Eid Al-Fitr, with Gulf markets predicted to see a considerable spike in travel bookings from April 28 to May 5, 2022, which coincides with the resumption of large exhibitions in several GCC capitals.Regional economies look up as Ramadan boosts retail
How does Ramadan, a time for spiritual reflection, impact economies of the region as markets open after an ease in COVID-19 curbs? Here are indepth reports from TRENDS.DEWA launches Ramadan campaign for sustainability
The campaign reportedly supports the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050.Egypt bristles at Israel-run dance festivals in Sinai
Israeli-organized twin dance festivals in the Sinai have sparked outrage in Egypt as they come just days before the anniversary of the end of the Jewish state's occupation of the peninsula.Grocery apps reap Ramadan benefits
Grocery apps are witnessing a busy period during the Holy Month as scorching summer persuades customers to remain indoors while ordering their basic daily necessities with few taps on the smartphones.UN envoy urges Yemen’s warring parties to uphold truce
The two-month ceasefire between Yemen's Houthi rebels and Saudi led military coalition took effect 11 days ago.UAE restores Ramadan goodwill with tough fight against COVID-19
While iftar tents are reinstated this year for government and licensed entities, authorities have advised that the group iftars and suhoor gatherings should be limited to family members in the same household.Demand surges as Ramadan returns
The shopping behavior has changed a lot in the region in past two years as consumers are looking for promotions and offers especially in food, perishables, groceries and home appliances. Studies suggest that consumers are spending more on cross-border goods, particularly consumer packaged products, during Ramadan this year.Tunisia TV series sets off feverish polygamy debate
A Ramadan TV series dealing with polygamy has sparked a heated debate in Tunisia, an Arab pioneer in women's rights that banned the practice decades ago.Eid Al Fitr likely to begin on May 2: Emirates Astronomical Society
The UAE moon-sighting committee is expected to convene to confirm the official starting date for Eid.What determines duration of a Ramadan fast?
The fasting hours are actually determined by geography and vary from one country to another. People in the relatively cooler areas find Ramadan days less daunting in summers.Meta celebrates the spirit of Ramadan through #MonthofGood campaign
Throughout #MonthofGood, Meta will be sharing the stories of Muslim communities making positive impact.Israel’s Gantz speaks with Palestinian president for Ramadan
"Ramadan must be a month of peace and quiet and not a period marked by terror," Gantz told AbbasKey Egypt activist in 2011 revolution begins hunger strike in prison
Abdel Fattah has spent the better part of the past decade behind bars, having also been arrested under former presidents Hosni Mubarak and Mohammed Morsi.Yemen truce struggles to hold as charges of violations grow
Yemen's warring parties on Tuesday traded accusations of violating a ceasefire agreement, three days after it went into effect at the start of Ramadan.Sweet smell of Ramadan in South Asia
The region is home to around a third of Islam's adherents. Festive Iftar meals traditionally bring families together and there is intense social activity.Libyan artisans restore old Korans for Ramadan
Compared to the cost of a new Koran -- at more than $20 depending on the binding -- restoring costs just a few dollars.Algeria pardons over 1,000 convicts, releases 70 Hirak detainees
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Sunday pardoned over 1,000 convicts and ordered "clemency measures" for 70 people detained over links to the country's Hirak protest movement, to coincide with Ramadan. Tebboune signed "a presidential decree pardoning 1,076 convicted detainees" on the occasion of the start of Ramadan, the presidency said,...Yemen savors a quiet day of Ramadan truce
A UN-brokered two-month truce took effect in Yemen Saturday, the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and analysts hope for a rare respite in the impoverished country's seven-year war.War-torn Yemen holds breath as breakthrough truce begins
The UAE has expressed its "support" for the UN ceasefire, which was also welcomed by the US, UN chief Antonio Guterres, the European Union, and the leaders of Britain, France, and Iraq.Ramadan starts on Sunday for Shiite Muslims in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon
Traditionally, many Muslim-majority countries have followed dates set by Saudi religious authorities, but in recent years many have used their own astronomic calculations.UN: Yemen’s warring parties agree to two-month truce
The UN said Yemen's warring parties have agreed to a two-month extendable truce starting Saturday, the first day of Ramadan for many Muslims, and an accord on fuel shipments and Sanaa airport. "The parties to the conflict have responded positively to a United Nations proposal for a two-month truce which...Abu Dhabi Police ban heavy vehicles during peak hours in Ramadan
The decision is said to have been taken in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Police's strategic partners.Dubai food trade grew 11 percent to $15.51 billion in 2021
Dubai Customs said Thursday the emirate’s external foodstuff trade in 2021 grew 11 percent to reach AED57 billion ($15.51 billion), compared to AED51.4 billion in 2020. According to the latest figures released by Dubai Customs, exports grew 11.3 percent to AED10.8 billion from AED9.7 billion in 2020, while re-exports went...Saudi hosts talks on Yemen war, but without Houthi rebels
Ahmed Al-Emad, a spokesman for the rebels' foreign ministry said that the recent meeting on Yemen conflict held in Riyadh "has nothing to do with the issue of peace."Muslims face frugal Ramadan as Ukraine war drives up food prices
Russia's Ukraine invasion, which has already exacerbated food woes in parts of Africa and the Middle East, is marring preparations for the holy month of Ramadan and forcing a turn to frugal iftar sunset meals. From Lebanon to Tunisia and Somalia, Muslims who traditionally break a dawn-to-dusk fast with lavish...Israeli leaders visit Jordan to seek calm ahead of Ramadan
Jordan king called on Gantz to "lift all obstacles that could prevent (Muslims) from performing prayers" at Al-Aqsa.