People & Culture - Gulf Insider

2 days ago

Muhammad Tops Baby Boys’ Names In England And Wales For Third Straight Year

Official Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today shows Muhammad – including variant spellings – has once again claimed the top spot as the most popular name for newborn boys in England and Wales. This marks the third consecutive year Muhammad has led the boys’ chart, continuing a trend that has drawn significant public attention and debate about demographic changes. The ONS figures for 2025 births confirm Muhammad’s dominant position. In previous years, when spellings are combined, it has frequently outranked traditional English names like Oliver and Noah. Commentators have linked the sustained popularity to the UK’s growing Muslim population, which now makes up a significant and increasing share of births in many areas. Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe responded strongly to the news, posting: “Muhammad has comfortably topped the list for the most popular boy name for the third year running. You can call me Islamophobic, I really don’t care… This is awful and demonstrates the rapidly changing demographics of our country.” ‘Muhammad’ has comfortably topped the list for the most popular boy name for the third year running. You can call me Islamophobic, I really don’t care. This is awful and demonstrates the rapidly changing demographics of […]

4 weeks ago

Saudi: Rare 400-Year-Old Quran Manuscript Showcased In Mecca

It features intricate gilded decorations, vibrant colours and finely crafted calligraphy A rare holy Quran manuscript dating back more than 400 years is showcased at Saudi Arabia’s Holy Quran Museum in Mecca, offering visitors a striking glimpse into the artistic mastery and cultural legacy of Islamic civilisation. The manuscript, one of the museum’s most prized exhibits, dates to the 11th century AH (17th century) and features intricate gilded decorations, vibrant colours and finely crafted calligraphy that reflect the exceptional standards achieved by Quran manuscript production during the period. Its pages are adorned with delicate floral motifs and elaborate ornamental designs, while the opening spread, featuring Surah Al Fatihah, displays a symmetrical composition combining geometric precision with richly detailed gold embellishments. Museum officials say the manuscript highlights the skill of Islamic calligraphers and illuminators who transformed Quranic writing into a sophisticated artistic tradition, blending meticulous penmanship with decorative excellence. Housed within the Holy Quran Museum in Mecca’s Hira Cultural District, the manuscript forms part of a collection that traces the evolution of Quranic writing and illumination across the centuries. The exhibit offers visitors an opportunity to explore the development of Islamic manuscript arts and the enduring reverence Muslims have shown towards […]

1 month ago

Egyptian-French Mission Discovers Ancient Water Network, Mosque Remains in Historic Cairo

An Egyptian-French archaeological mission has uncovered a Mamluk-era water supply system and the remains of a mosque near the Citadel of Sultan Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin) in Historic Cairo, the Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported. The discoveries were made during a joint project between the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the French Institute for Oriental Archaeology (IFAO) aimed at documenting and studying historic areas surrounding the citadel. Excavations revealed two large wells connected to an advanced water distribution system that supplied water to the citadel through waterwheels and stone channels linked to the historic Aqueduct of Cairo. Archaeologists also uncovered service facilities associated with the system, including animal pathways, storage areas, and water basins. In the Hattaba district, the mission discovered remains of a Mamluk-era mosque, including the mihrab, parts of the qibla area, sections of stone flooring, and several Islamic-era burial sites. The team also found a collection of artifacts, including pottery vessels used for water lifting, Mamluk and Ottoman coins, jewellery, seals, and objects dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Officials said the discoveries provide new information about water management, urban planning, and daily life in Cairo during the Islamic era. Excavation and documentation work […]

1 month ago

Saudi Arabia Opens Visa Applications For New Umrah Season

Saudi Arabia will begin issuing Umrah visas for the new Umrah season from today, May 31, marking the start of preparations for the 1448 AH season following the conclusion of this year’s Hajj. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said the visa issuance and the arrival of international pilgrims for the new Umrah season would commence on today, and runs until March 23, 2027. Pilgrims will now be permitted to enter Mecca and obtain Umrah permits through the government’s Nusuk application. The platform serves as the Kingdom’s unified digital gateway for permits, bookings and pilgrimage services. The ministry said March 9, 2027, corresponding to Shawwal 1,1448 AH, would be the final date for issuing Umrah visas. The last date for pilgrims to enter Saudi Arabia will be March 23, 2027, while all Umrah pilgrims must depart the Kingdom by April 7, 2027. The Kingdom has accelerated the digital transformation of Umrah services in recent years through the Nusuk platform, introducing electronic permits, automated contracting procedures and QR code verification systems. Saudi Arabia is also expanding transport and hospitality infrastructure as part of efforts to accommodate growing numbers of pilgrims under Vision 2030.

2 months ago

The Fragile Balance Between Compassion And Civilization

What is unfolding across parts of Europe, particularly in the UK under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, should serve as a warning to every Western democracy wrestling with questions of immigration, national identity, social cohesion, and the limits of political tolerance. A nation can be compassionate without becoming careless. It can welcome newcomers while still expecting assimilation, civic responsibility, and respect for the laws and traditions that hold a society together. But when governments become so consumed with appearing morally virtuous that they neglect order, border enforcement, public safety, and cultural confidence, the social fabric eventually begins to fray. Across Europe, many citizens increasingly feel that they are watching this happen in real time. Businesses struggle under layers of regulation and insecurity. Historic neighborhoods in cities such as London, Paris, Brussels, and parts of Germany face growing tensions between communities living side by side but not necessarily living together. In too many places, political leaders have become hesitant to speak honestly about integration failures for fear of being labeled intolerant or divisive. Yet avoiding difficult conversations does not eliminate problems; it merely delays them until frustration hardens into anger. This is why political movements once considered fringe are now gaining traction […]

2 months ago

Oman Announces Eid Al Adha Holidays For Public And Private Sector Employees

Oman has announced a five-day holiday for employees in both the public and private sectors across the Sultanate, in observance of Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha, according to a statement carried by the Oman News Agency (ONA). The holiday will begin on Tuesday, May 26, corresponding to the 9th of Dhu Al Hijjah 1447 AH, while official working hours will resume on Sunday, May 31, the agency said. The announcement follows confirmation that Monday, May 18, marks the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah in several GCC countries, setting Eid Al Adha to begin on Wednesday, May 27. Eid Al Adha, one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, coincides with the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and is traditionally marked by prayers, family gatherings and charitable activities across the Gulf region.

2 months ago

Eid Al Adha Holidays Announced For UAE Private Sector Employees

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced a four-day paid holiday for private sector employees across the UAE, in observance of Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha. The Eid break will run from Tuesday, May 26, and continue through Friday, May 29. Normal working hours will resume on Monday, June 1. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources in the UAE has earlier announced a five-day paid holiday for public sector employees, in observance of Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha. The Eid break will run from Monday, May 25, and continue through Friday, May 29. Work for federal government sectors will resume on Monday, June 1. Crescent moon sighting confirmed The UAE confirmed the sighting of the Dhu Al Hijjah crescent moon on Sunday evening, corresponding to 29 Dhu Al Hijjah 1447 AH (May 17, 2026 CE), based on reports from sighting committees, specialists, and observatories across the country. In an official statement, the Council said the confirmation was made after reviewing sightings submitted by experts and astronomical centres operating under a coordinated national system using advanced space and astronomy technologies. Accordingly, Monday, May 18, 2026, marks the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah 1447 AH in […]

2 months ago

Saudi Arabia Bans Political, Sectarian Slogans During Hajj, Tightens Mecca Entry Rules

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry announced a series of regulations for the 2026 Hajj season, including a ban on political and sectarian flags, slogans and chants in Mecca, Medina and the holy sites. The ministry said the restrictions apply across the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, surrounding courtyards and roads leading to the sites, as authorities step up crowd-control and security measures during the annual pilgrimage season. It also prohibited the opening, obstructing or crossing of security barriers within the holy sites, saying the measures were intended to ensure smooth movement and effective crowd management. The ministry said pilgrims would be required to present valid Hajj permits to security personnel as a condition for entering and remaining in Mecca and the holy sites during the season. Saudi authorities have intensified enforcement measures ahead of Hajj as part of broader efforts to regulate pilgrim flows, prevent overcrowding and improve safety standards. The ministry said security personnel were deployed throughout the Grand Mosque, its courtyards and the holy sites to ensure the safety of pilgrims, urging worshippers to cooperate with officers and seek assistance when needed.

2 months ago

41% Of Muslim Youth In Vienna Believe Their Religious Laws Take Precedence

A recent study conducted on behalf of the city of Vienna highlights a concerning trend among young Muslims regarding their religious and political views. This follows the recent announcement that Muslim children now comprise nearly 41 percent of the population in Vienna’s compulsory schools, making them the largest religious group. The study, published on May 12, 2026, was led by Kenan Güngör. He classifies the results as “very worrying,” noting that religion occupies a much larger space in the lives of Muslim youth compared to their peers. One of the most significant findings involves the hierarchy of legal and religious authority. Forty-one percent of Muslim youth agree with the statement that their religious laws take precedence over the laws in Austria, compared to 21 percent of Christian youth, as reported in Austrian news outlet Der Standard. Furthermore, 46 percent of Muslim respondents believe that one must be prepared to “fight and die in defense of one’s faith,” a view shared by 24 percent of Christians. Specifically, 73 percent of Shiite and 68 percent of Sunni Muslims identify as religious, while only 41 percent of Catholic and 38 percent of Orthodox Christian youth say the same. The study also delves into social and […]

2 months ago

Saudi Arabia Calls For Dhu Al Hijjah Moon Sighting On May 17

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on Muslims across the Kingdom to observe the crescent moon marking the beginning of Dhu Al Hijjah on the evening of Sunday, May 17, corresponding to the 29th of Dhu Al Qa’dah in the Umm Al Qura calendar. In a statement, the court urged anyone capable of sighting the crescent moon to participate in the official moon-sighting committees formed across the Kingdom. Meanwhile, the International Astronomical Center said Islamic countries are expected to observe the Dhu Al Hijjah crescent on Sunday, May 17, with visibility forecasts indicating that the moon may be seen using telescopes from East Asia, southern Africa and southern parts of South America, while naked-eye visibility is expected across parts of central and western Asia, North Africa and most of the Americas. Engineer Mohammed Shawkat Odeh, Director of the International Astronomical Center, said current astronomical calculations suggest that Monday, May 18, is expected to mark the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah, while Wednesday, May 27, is likely to be the first day of Eid Al Adha in most Islamic countries. He added that crescent moon visibility on Sunday is expected to vary between cities. In Abu Dhabi, the moon is forecast to set […]

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Search Here

Muhammad Tops Baby Boys’ Names In England And Wales For Third Straight Year

Saudi: Rare 400-Year-Old Quran Manuscript Showcased In Mecca

Egyptian-French Mission Discovers Ancient Water Network, Mosque Remains in Historic Cairo

Saudi Arabia Opens Visa Applications For New Umrah Season

The Fragile Balance Between Compassion And Civilization

Oman Announces Eid Al Adha Holidays For Public And Private Sector Employees

Eid Al Adha Holidays Announced For UAE Private Sector Employees

Saudi Arabia Bans Political, Sectarian Slogans During Hajj, Tightens Mecca Entry Rules

41% Of Muslim Youth In Vienna Believe Their Religious Laws Take Precedence

Saudi Arabia Calls For Dhu Al Hijjah Moon Sighting On May 17

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