Latest news with #HolyMonthofRamadan
Trade Arabia
13-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Morocco welcomes 4m tourists in Q1 2025
Morocco's tourism sector posted a remarkable performance in the first quarter of 2025, attracting 4 million visitors by the end of March, reported WAM. This represents a new record, marking a 22 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy. Maghreb Arab Press Agency quoted the ministry as saying that this growth further solidifies Morocco's position as a leading travel destination and reinforces the country's status as a year-round destination. The figures reflect a balanced appeal, with 2.1 million international tourists and 1.9 million members of the Moroccan diaspora visiting the country during Q1 2025. Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy Fatim-Zahra Ammor said, 'The month of March, which coincided with the Holy Month of Ramadan this year, recorded excellent performance with nearly 1.4 million visitors, representing a growth of 17 percent compared to 2024.'
Zawya
11-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Morocco welcomes 4mln tourists in Q1 2025
RABAT - Morocco's tourism sector posted a remarkable performance in the first quarter of 2025, attracting 4 million visitors by the end of March. This represents a new record, marking a 22 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy. Maghreb Arab Press Agency quoted the ministry as saying that this growth further solidifies Morocco's position as a leading travel destination and reinforces the country's status as a year-round destination. The figures reflect a balanced appeal, with 2.1 million international tourists and 1.9 million members of the Moroccan diaspora visiting the country during Q1 2025. Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy Fatim-Zahra Ammor said, 'The month of March, which coincided with the Holy Month of Ramadan this year, recorded excellent performance with nearly 1.4 million visitors, representing a growth of 17 percent compared to 2024.' ES
Al Etihad
26-03-2025
- Al Etihad
‘Iftar brings us together:' Expats remember cherished delicacies that offer taste of home
27 Mar 2025 01:30 RAJIVE CHERIAN (ABU DHABI)For expats in the UAE, the Holy Month of Ramadan brings back memories of home and, come iftar time, many couldn't help but long for the taste and aroma they grew up with back in their countries. Now in their second home, many residents try to recreate their favourite dishes and share them with friends who became family over the years. 'More than the food, it is having iftar with friends that make every gathering much sweeter,' Egyptian expat Hammad Khalil told Aletihad. As the air echoes with the call to prayer, iftar meals — be they grand or modest — await to be served after day-long fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Although iftar traditions vary across the world, it's a time when spiritual fulfilment meets the symphony of taste, bringing gratitude and the feeling of conversation with Aletihad, members of the expat community recalled the cherished delicacies that take centre stage at iftar gatherings back home. Stuffed Pigeons and Molokhia For Khalil, the first food that comes to mind when thinking of iftar is molokhia, the iconic green soup made from jute leaves. It can accompany rice with chicken, duck, or meat.'Of course, stuffed pigeon as the main course and Umm Ali as the dessert are the major highlights,' he stuffing for the pigeon-based dish, known as 'hamam mahshi', includes rice mixed with onion and it comes to dessert, the legendary Umm Ali reigns supreme, he said. This traditional bread pudding, baked in a clay pot, is a blend of puff pastry, roasted nuts, spiced milk, sugar, and raisins. Barbusa, semolina cake soaked in syrup, and Qatayef, mini pancakes filled with crispy nuts or cheese and drizzled with sugary syrup, are also among the favourites for dessert. Matoke For Shamila Owomugisha from Uganda, it's Matoke, a spicy green banana mash, that is the main attraction for is steamed green bananas later mashed in banana leaves and served with stew, fish, egg, meat or cassava cooked with beans, and Irish potatoes mixed with meat are also iftar favourites, she dessert, fruits gain prominence, mainly pawpaw, mangoes, watermelon, and jackfruit.'Iftar brings us family members all together in gratitude, and sometimes, our neighbours join us, too. For us, it's the time to pray for forgiveness, especially during Laylat Al Qadr — one of the last nights of Ramadan — and renew our faith,' she added. Thari Kanji and Pathiri The simplicity of thari kanji distributed at mosques at the end of fasting is wafting through the mind of Saeed Manikoth Thangal, an expat from the south Indian state of Kerala. Thari kanji is a creamy porridge made of semolina, milk, and coconut milk. It has numerous varities, too, but all of them are topped with ghee-infused cashew, shallots, and households, it's pathiri — pancakes made of rice flour, served with spicy beef or chicken curry — that is the signature part of the iftar meal, he said. 'Beyond food, it's the time for the spiritual discipline of fasting, it makes us aware of hunger and the importance of sharing with others. It's also the time for Zakat, the Islamic practice of donating 2.5% of a Muslim individual's cash, gold, silver, cattle, farms and rentable assets to charity.'
Gulf Business
20-03-2025
- Climate
- Gulf Business
Eid Al Fitr in Oman: A week-long holiday awaits
Image credit: Getty Images The first day of Eid Al Fitr in Oman is likely to fall on Monday, March 31, as predicted by astronomers. As a result, the Eid holidays in Oman are expected to begin on Sunday, March 30, and last until Thursday, April 3, giving citizens and residents a five-day break, a report in However, the holidays may be extended further since Friday (April 4) and Saturday (April 5) are weekend days, creating a nine-day break starting from the pre-Eid weekend. If the first day of Eid Al Fitr falls on Monday (March 31), it will be due to the 29th of Ramadan, which corresponds to March 29. On this day, the sun will set at 6:21 pm, and the moon will set at 6:26 pm, making it nearly impossible to see the moon, according to Abdulwahab Al Busaidy, head of the observatory at the Oman Astronomical Society. Al Busaidy also explained that the moon will be visible on the horizon for just five minutes, depending on the observer's location in Oman. The moon will be positioned only two degrees above the horizon, with an illumination of 0.04%. Therefore, it is less likely to be sighted in countries like Oman, which rely on moon sightings to declare Eid. For countries that depend on the birth of a new moon, Al Busaidy mentioned that they might be fasting for only 29 days, and their first day of Eid Al Fitr will be on March 30. The UAE's Eid Al Fitr holidays for f The 30th of Ramadan will be recognized as an additional public holiday if the Holy Month of Ramadan concludes with 30 days, thus extending the Eid Al Fitr break.
Gulf Today
17-03-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
80% of Afghanistan operations risk shutdown by June, says WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday 80 per cent of services that it supports in Afghanistan could shut down by June due to a funding shortage. The UN health agency said the cash shortfall, which comes amid massive US aid cuts, is tied to a shift in "development aid priorities." "Without urgent intervention, over 220 more facilities could close by June 2025, leaving an additional 1.8 million Afghans without access to primary health care," WHO said in a statement. The agency said that 167 such operations have already closed due to a lack of financial support. "The consequences will be measured in lives lost," said WHO's Afghanistan chief Edwin Ceniza Salvador. "This is not just about funding. It is a humanitarian emergency that threatens to undo years of progress in strengthening Afghanistan's health system," Salvador added. An Afghan woman leaves with a free Iftar meal distributed by a local charity during the Holy Month of Ramadan in Kabul on Monday. AFP WHO has been sounding the alarm since US President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the agency. This pullout and the end of Washington's contributions put at risk the global measles surveillance network, which until now has been entirely funded by Washington. Afghanistan saw more than 16,000 suspected measles cases and 111 deaths in January and February, according to WHO. The figures are disputed by the Taliban authorities, who returned to power in 2021 with the ousting of the US-backed government. The Taliban government is not recognised internationally and relies largely on NGOs, UN agencies and aid donors to keep the health system afloat. 'Multiple health emergencies' WHO said Afghanistan is also facing "multiple health emergencies," including outbreaks of malaria and dengue. There are ongoing efforts to vaccinate enough children to eradicate polio, which remains endemic in only two countries: Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan. The lack of funds has also hit Save the Children, which said last week 18 health facilities supported by the charity and its partners have closed. "Only 14 Save the Children clinics have enough funding to remain open for one more month, and without new financial support, they will be forced to close. These 32 clinics supported over 134,000 children in January alone," the charity said. Afghan women wait in a queue to receive free Iftar meal on the outskirts of Kabul. AFP In addition, Afghanistan suffers one of the world's highest maternal mortality ratios of 638 per 100,000 live births. This is likely to worsen due to the US funding cuts, with the UN forecasting an additional 1,200 maternal deaths between now and 2028. Malnutrition is also widespread in the country, which is facing economic, humanitarian and climate crises after being battered by four decades of war. Ten per cent of children under five are malnourished and 45 percent are stunted, the UN says. Agence France-Presse
