Gulf State

Assy Al Helani cancels concert in Qatar

Beirut - Michal Hadad

Sources revealed that Lebanese singer Assy Al Helani will not participate in a new concert in Qatar in coincidence with the New Year season, saying that he was scheduled to participate in a concert in the Gulf State. They said that his concert was scheduled to be presented by a large number of prominent figures. The sources have not revealed the reasonsRead more

Saudi Arabia lifts decades-long ban on cinemas

Riyadh - Muslimchronicle

Saudi Arabia on Monday lifted a decades-old ban on cinemas, part of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's far-reaching liberalisation drive that is shaking up the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom. The government said it would begin licensing cinemas immediately and the first movie theatres are expected to open next March, in a decision that could boost the Gulf state's nascent filmRead more

Iran, Turkey sign deal with Qatar

Tehran - Muslimchronicle

Iran and Turkey signed a deal Sunday with Qatar aimed at boosting commercial ties with the Gulf state which is under blockade by its Arab neighbours, Iranian state television said. The broadcaster's website said the agreement provides for the creation of a "joint working group to facilitate the transit of goods between the three countries". It also said the threeRead more

MBS, Saudi's reformist crown prince

Riyadh - Muslimchronicle

Since his emergence in June as crown prince of the world's oil superpower, Mohammed bin Salman, 32, has set his sights firmly on economic, social and religious reforms in the ultraconservative kingdom. The young and dynamic prince, known by his initials MBS, has already overseen the most fundamental cultural and economic transformation in the modern history of the Gulf state,Read more

Qatar World Cup official hits back at criticism

Doha - Muslimchronicle

A senior Qatar World Cup official took to social media Friday to re-assert the Gulf state will host the 2022 tournament, even as it faces a torrent of fresh criticism. A defiant Nasser al-Khater, assistant secretary-general at Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, responded on Twitter after a noted critic claimed bookmakers had shortened odds on the World CupRead more

Qatari drivers near pole position in ranking of London parking offenders

London - Muslimchronicle

A visit to the UK capital means a fine day out for Qatari tourists — in more ways than one. Drivers from the Gulf state were on Tuesday ranked second on a list of the most prolific parking offenders in the popular Westminster area. The London borough is home to such famous sights as Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and theRead more

Kuwait reports second oil spill

Kuwait - Muslimchronicle

Kuwaiti authorities on Tuesday reported a second oil slick off the Gulf state's shores days after saying another large spill was under control. The new slick was spotted near the capital, some 60 kilometres (37 miles) north of the first spill, tweeted Sheikh Talal Khaled Al-Sabah, spokesman for national oil conglomerate Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC). Kuwait's Environment Public Authority saidRead more