Shia pilgrims were targeted in the Afghan capital Kabul on Tuesday with at least 14 people killed as they gathered to mark Ashoura, one of the most important days on the Shia-Muslim calendar. One attacker was killed after attempting to enter the shrine with a vest loaded with explosives, interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said. A senior police officer, who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, said the […]
Israeli soldiers have shot dead a Palestinian after clashes in the Silwan neighbourhood of Occupied East Jerusalem, Palestinian officials said. Ali Shioukhi, 20, was killed by security forces on Tuesday night, as the Israeli army was deployed in force across the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem to quell Palestinian dissent during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, the officials said. Israeli forces had raided Silwan late on Tuesday night […]
One political analyst says he is not surprised that Saudi Arabia has hiked the cost for umrah visas, as the country is looking to boost religious tourism in the face of economic reforms. South Africans have been hard hit by the news of paying for umrah visas, which some say are simply too costly for the average Muslim traveller. While first-time haj and umrah pilgrims will not be charged for […]
As mu’tamireen throughout the world prepare for the opening of the umrah season on Safar 1, 1438, travellers, operators and haj and umrah bodies have in recent weeks been inundated with conflicting reports on the new haj and umrah visa charges. In August, media reports began circulating that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has introduced new visa charges for all travellers to the Kingdom. The new price regulations imposed a […]
As World Mental Health Day was marked on Monday, very little attention was given to victims of domestic abuse who, as a result of their abuse, suffer from depression in isolation. In response to the silence on sufferers of depression, the Saartjie Baartman Centre is calling on Cape Flats communities to provide safe spaces in which victims are free to open-up about their trauma. The centre, which is a shelter […]
Lawyers for the South African Revenue Service (Sars) want key documents relating to the infamous "rogue unit" saga to be disallowed as evidence in a labour dispute with one of the revenue collector's former employees. Proceedings in former Sars spokesperson Adrian Lackay's bid to have his departure from Sars classified as a constructive dismissal finally got under way at the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Monday. However, […]
The bail application of the twin brothers accused of planning to bomb the US embassy is expected to continue on Tuesday in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court. Brandon Lee and Tony Lee Thulsie were arrested in July and face charges with conspiracy and incitement to commit the crime of terrorism and conspiring and attempting to commit acts associated with terrorist activities. The twins, who have been in jail for more than […]
Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande has called on protesting students not to hold the futures of others to ransom. Nzimande in a statement again condemned the violence at Wits University, saying it is the work of irresponsible and disrespectful students not interested in completing the 2016 academic year. He said the university had attempted to continue with the academic programme but was also being held ransom by […]
The parents of slain teacher Jayde Panayiotou tightly held hands as they walked into the Port Elizabeth High Court on Tuesday for the first day of her husband Christopher’s trial. Michelle and Derick Inggs, along with family and friends, wore yellow ribbons on their clothes in a sign of unity. They found space on a bench in the tightly-packed Courtroom A. Christopher Panayiotou’s family were seen meeting with the defence […]
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
