KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 — The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the lives of people all over the world as they learn to adapt to the new normal and abide by the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set to stem the transmission of the virus.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 — The new standard operating procedure (SOP) which makes it mandatory for Malaysian umrah pilgrims to take the Covid-19 vaccine booster is based on a request by the Saudi Arabian government, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad.

PUTRAJAYA, December 25 — Individuals undergoing the seven-day mandatory quarantine after returning from umrah pilgrimage, will be made to wear a digital detection device starting next week, says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 — Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia can now obtain umrah visas via smartphone applications, 'Eatmarna' and 'Tawakkalna'.

KUALA LUMPUR,  Oct 17  — The government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), has set the floor price for an umrah package of 12 days and 10 nights at RM6,900.

KOTA BHARU, Sept 18 — The government has given an assurance that the subsidy for performing the haj will be maintained despite the possibility of increased costs in the future, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 — The cost of performing umrah is expected to increase following the enforcement of the new standard operating procedures (SOPs) to contain the Covid-19 pandemic by the Saudi Arabian government.

MAKKAH, Aug 8 —  Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that it will gradually begin receiving Umrah requests from vaccinated foreign pilgrims starting Monday, reported Saudi Press agency (SPA).

MARANG, Aug 5 — Malaysians are expected to be allowed to visit Saudi Arabia, including to perform the umrah pilgrimage this year, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah have expressed their appreciation to the King of Saudi Arabia King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud for the medical contribution to help Malaysia deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 —  Recognition and support from international allies in combating the Covid-19 pandemic show Malaysia's strength, says Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — The aid promised by the Saudi government through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) to help Malaysia fight the Covid-19 pandemic had arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

RIYADH, July 25 — Saudi Arabia re-opened the Muslim holy sites for the Umrah pilgrimage as of Sunday, Anadolu Agency reported, quoting the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

By Selangor Journal Team SHAH ALAM, July 25 — Saudi Arabia will send medical aid, including one million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, to Malaysia to help the country in tackling the pandemic, Saudi Gazette reported today. According to the report, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King...

MECCA, July 19 — Muslim pilgrims vaccinated against Covid-19 gathered on Sunday for the annual haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, which has barred worshippers from abroad for a second year running due to the pandemic and has also restricted entry from inside the kingdom.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — 263 Malaysians in Saudi Arabia are eligible to perform the haj this year, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 —  The Saudi Arabian government has included Sinovac in its list of recognised vaccines to gain entry into the country.

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 — The ringgit opened marginally higher against the US dollar on Tuesday, supported by firmer crude oil prices.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Malaysia will not be sending pilgrims for the 1442H haj season following the decision of the Saudi Arabian government to only allow the residents and citizens from within the kingdom to perform the pilgrimage this year.

RIYADH, June 12 — Saudi Arabia will only accept 60,000 citizens and residents to perform Hajj pilgrimage this year, shutting the doors to pilgrims from abroad.