A cleric calls for the prayer at an empty mosque in Riyadh. Reuter
A cleric calls for the prayer at an empty mosque in Riyadh. Reuter
A cleric calls for the prayer at an empty mosque in Riyadh. Reuter
A cleric calls for the prayer at an empty mosque in Riyadh. Reuter

World

Coronavirus: Be pious but respect restrictions, Saudi ulama says

Kingdom imposes bans in remote regions as recorded cases rise 23 per cent in last two days

Khaled Yacoub Oweis
Khaled Yacoub Oweis
Jordan

April 20, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The highest religious authority in Saudi Arabia on Sunday called on Muslims to “set an example” by observing the coronavirus containment measures set by temporal authorities worldwide.

The call by the Senior Ulama Council came as Muslims prepared to observe the holy month of Ramadan.

Saudi authorities announced 1,088 more coronavirus cases and five more deaths since Saturday, as government data continued to show wide daily spreads of the contagion in the world's top oil exporting nation.

The latest toll announced by the health ministry took the total number of people infected with the coronavirus in the kingdom to 9,362 and deaths to 97. The authorities announced 1,132 cases on Saturday.

_______________

Coronavirus in the region

Police officers check vehicles on the empty Ataturk Airport road on the road during 48-hour restrictions imposed to stem the spread of coronavirus in Ankara, Turkey. AFP
Police officers check vehicles on the empty Ataturk Airport road on the road during 48-hour restrictions imposed to stem the spread of coronavirus in Ankara, Turkey. AFP
Shiite Muslim men carry a coffin to the Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib mosque in Iraq's central shrine city of Najaf during a funeral procession, one of the very rare ceremonies still allowed in the city during the coronavirus pandemic. AFP
Shiite Muslim men carry a coffin to the Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib mosque in Iraq's central shrine city of Najaf during a funeral procession, one of the very rare ceremonies still allowed in the city during the coronavirus pandemic. AFP
People walk past a damaged building depicting drawings alluding to the coronavirus and encouraging people to stay at home, in the rebel-held Idlib city, Syria. Reuters
People walk past a damaged building depicting drawings alluding to the coronavirus and encouraging people to stay at home, in the rebel-held Idlib city, Syria. Reuters
A member of the Kurdish internal security forces stands in the middle of an empty road in the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province a day after local authorities of the Kurdish-dominated northern part of war-torn Syria recorded its first death due to the coronavirus outbreak. AFP
A member of the Kurdish internal security forces stands in the middle of an empty road in the city of Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province a day after local authorities of the Kurdish-dominated northern part of war-torn Syria recorded its first death due to the coronavirus outbreak. AFP
A car drives past Le Bristol hotel in Beirut, Lebanon. One of the country's landmark hotels that has survived the country's bloody 15-year civil war is closing its doors due to a combination of an economic crisis and the global health threat of coronavirus. AP Photo
A car drives past Le Bristol hotel in Beirut, Lebanon. One of the country's landmark hotels that has survived the country's bloody 15-year civil war is closing its doors due to a combination of an economic crisis and the global health threat of coronavirus. AP Photo
Workers from the Kuwait Ministry of Public Works paves a road near the capital as the Ministry takes the opportunity to repair and repave roads during the curfew hours. AFP
Workers from the Kuwait Ministry of Public Works paves a road near the capital as the Ministry takes the opportunity to repair and repave roads during the curfew hours. AFP
The empty Galata bridge in Istanbul, as Turkish government announced further restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus. AFP
The empty Galata bridge in Istanbul, as Turkish government announced further restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus. AFP
Men sit outside a closed shop along a street in Erbil, the capital of the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region. AFP
Men sit outside a closed shop along a street in Erbil, the capital of the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region. AFP
The empty Istiklal street in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA
The empty Istiklal street in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA
An Iraqi Kurdish woman and her relative outside their home in Erbil, the capital of the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region. AFP
An Iraqi Kurdish woman and her relative outside their home in Erbil, the capital of the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region. AFP
The empty shore side of the Golden Horn, with the Metro bridge in the foreground and Unkapani bridge in the background, in Istanbul. AFP
The empty shore side of the Golden Horn, with the Metro bridge in the foreground and Unkapani bridge in the background, in Istanbul. AFP
A Palestinian groom, Rafeh Qassim, wears a mask as he sits in a car with his bride on their wedding day, in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters
A Palestinian groom, Rafeh Qassim, wears a mask as he sits in a car with his bride on their wedding day, in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reuters
A member of the security forces checks his new haircut, provided by a volunteer hairdresser, in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. AFP
A member of the security forces checks his new haircut, provided by a volunteer hairdresser, in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. AFP
Lebanese bride and groom Joanna and Marc wearing protective masks designed as a national flag, pose for pictures during their wedding cermony attended only by close relatives amid the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Saint Georges church in the Hadath region, east of the capital Beirut. AFP
Lebanese bride and groom Joanna and Marc wearing protective masks designed as a national flag, pose for pictures during their wedding cermony attended only by close relatives amid the COVID-19 pandemic, at the Saint Georges church in the Hadath region, east of the capital Beirut. AFP
Palestinian security forces in the West Bank city of Hebron. EPA
Palestinian security forces in the West Bank city of Hebron. EPA
Police officers check vehicles on the empty Kizilay Square in Ankara. AFP
Police officers check vehicles on the empty Kizilay Square in Ankara. AFP
A member of the medical staff at Moroccos's military field hospital in Nouaceur, South of Casablanca, inspects the beds as they prepare to receive patients of the coronavirus pandemic. AFP
A member of the medical staff at Moroccos's military field hospital in Nouaceur, South of Casablanca, inspects the beds as they prepare to receive patients of the coronavirus pandemic. AFP
A member of the medical staff at Moroccos's military field hospital in Nouaceur, South of Casablanca, checks a monitor as staff prepared to receive patients of the coronavirus pandemic. AFP
A member of the medical staff at Moroccos's military field hospital in Nouaceur, South of Casablanca, checks a monitor as staff prepared to receive patients of the coronavirus pandemic. AFP
An employee of the Ankara Municipality staff feed pigeons in a park in Ankara. AFP
An employee of the Ankara Municipality staff feed pigeons in a park in Ankara. AFP
A man wearing a compulsory face mask observes his neighborhood from a hill during a health state of emergency and home confinement orders in Rabat, Morocco. AP Photo
A man wearing a compulsory face mask observes his neighborhood from a hill during a health state of emergency and home confinement orders in Rabat, Morocco. AP Photo
A man paints outside his home while a woman wearing a face mask walks past during a health state of emergency and home confinement order in Rabat, Morocco. AP Photo
A man paints outside his home while a woman wearing a face mask walks past during a health state of emergency and home confinement order in Rabat, Morocco. AP Photo

_______________

The Senior Ulama Council comprises a group of influential scholars appointed by the king and headed by the mufti.

The scholars said in a statement that Muslims everywhere, whether citizens or residents in any country, must set “an example” in “exercising ultimate care” by obeying coronavirus measures.

“Muslims should be an example to be emulated [and] worship while adhering to the precautionary and pre-emptive measures,” they said.

The worldwide measures, the ulama said, generally conform to Sharia principles of “circumventing harm as much as possible”.

The council repeated a call by the mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Al Sheikh, on Muslims to perform Ramadan rituals at home.

Muslims should pray the standard and extra prayers associated with Ramadan, known as Tarawih, at home if “respective authorities so recommend”.

Breaking the fast should be also done at home and not at mass gatherings such as public iftars, the religious officials said.

The traditionally social nature of Ramadan, which starts this week, will pose a major challenge to the Saudi government.

Despite efforts by the clerics to support the government’s wide-ranging measures to limit the contagion, Saudi officials said there was a significant lack of compliance.

The authorities imposed bans on movement in outlying areas of the kingdom at the weekend, in another tightening of restrictions that began five weeks ago with the sealing of major cities.

The interior ministry sealed four districts in the Al Ahsa and Jizan governorates, and said the 24-hour lockdown in these areas was indefinite.

Jizan has 22 recorded cases, and Al Ahsa 209, according to government data.

The health ministry urged business owners on Friday to help migrant workers avoid infection by supplying them with protective gear and to help them reduce their risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

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Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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Veere di Wedding
Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania ​​​​​​​
Verdict: 4 Stars

Sri Lanka's T20I squad

Thisara Perera (captain), Dilshan Munaweera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ashan Priyanjan, Mahela Udawatte, Dasun Shanaka, Sachith Pathirana, Vikum Sanjaya, Lahiru Gamage, Seekkuge Prasanna, Vishwa Fernando, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay and Chathuranga de Silva.

On Women's Day
The biog

Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia

Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins

Favourite dish: Grilled fish

Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.

The specs: 2019 Haval H6

Price, base: Dh69,900

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm

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6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; 2,000m

7.05pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; 2,200m

7.40pm: Conditions; Dh240,000; 1,600m

8.15pm: Handicap; Dh190,000; 2,000m

8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed; Dh265,000; 1,200m

9.25pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; 1,600m

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Itcan profile

Founders: Mansour Althani and Abdullah Althani

Based: Business Bay, with offices in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India

Sector: Technology, digital marketing and e-commerce

Size: 70 employees 

Revenue: On track to make Dh100 million in revenue this year since its 2015 launch

Funding: Self-funded to date

 

Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

While you're here
How to book

Call DHA on 800342

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Present the SMS and your Emirates ID at the centre
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Check results within 48 hours on the DHA app under ‘Lab Results’ and then ‘Patient Services’

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SupplyVan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2029%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MRO%20and%20e-commerce%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULTS

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Winner: Raghida, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Alareeq, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,200m 
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Liwa Oasis Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: SS Jalmod, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Trolius, Ryan Powell, Simon Crisford

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Seven tips from Emirates NBD

1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details

2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet

3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details

4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure

5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs  (one-time passwords) with third parties

6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies

7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately

The biog

Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns

Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins

Food of choice: Sushi  

Favourite colour: Orange

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm

Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

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How to apply for a drone permit
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Company Profile 

Founder: Omar Onsi

Launched: 2018

Employees: 35

Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)

Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners

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RESULT

Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Croatia: Rebic (53'), Modric (80'), Rakitic (90' 1)

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