International News - FMN https://thefmn.com/category/international-news/ Sat, 10 Jan 2026 11:38:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Bangladesh bans IPL Indefinitely https://thefmn.com/6727/ https://thefmn.com/6727/#respond Sat, 10 Jan 2026 11:38:44 +0000 https://thefmn.com/?p=6727 The Bangladesh government has taken a bold and unprecedented step by banning the broadcast of the IPL 2026 across the country. The move comes after the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release star Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad—without providing any official explanation. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, no justification was shared regarding Mustafizur’s sudden exclusion. The ministry noted that the decision had caused “distress among the people of Bangladesh,” leading the government to act decisively “in public interest.” Why the Ban Matters The IPL has been aired on Bangladeshi TV channels and digital platforms since its launch in 2008. This is the first time ever that Bangladesh has banned the telecast of any international cricket tournament—making the decision historic and highly significant. The government’s stance highlights growing frustration over what it views as unfair treatment of one of the country’s top cricketers. Mustafizur, a key figure in Bangladesh cricket, has a massive fan base, and his removal from the IPL squad has sparked considerable public reaction. What Happens Next? This controversy comes at a tense time. Bangladesh is already in discussions with the ICC to shift their T20 World …

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]]> The Bangladesh government has taken a bold and unprecedented step by banning the broadcast of the IPL 2026 across the country. The move comes after the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release star Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad—without providing any official explanation.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, no justification was shared regarding Mustafizur’s sudden exclusion. The ministry noted that the decision had caused “distress among the people of Bangladesh,” leading the government to act decisively “in public interest.”

Why the Ban Matters

The IPL has been aired on Bangladeshi TV channels and digital platforms since its launch in 2008. This is the first time ever that Bangladesh has banned the telecast of any international cricket tournament—making the decision historic and highly significant.

The government’s stance highlights growing frustration over what it views as unfair treatment of one of the country’s top cricketers. Mustafizur, a key figure in Bangladesh cricket, has a massive fan base, and his removal from the IPL squad has sparked considerable public reaction.

What Happens Next?

This controversy comes at a tense time. Bangladesh is already in discussions with the ICC to shift their T20 World Cup 2026 matches away from India.
So far, no decision has been finalized, and according to the original schedule, Bangladesh is expected to play their opening match against West Indies on February 7 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

A Turning Point for Bangladesh-India Cricket Relations?

The ban marks a significant moment in regional cricket dynamics. While it remains unclear how long the IPL blackout will last, the message from Dhaka is strong and clear: decisions affecting Bangladeshi players must be transparent and respectful.

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]]> https://thefmn.com/6727/feed/ 0 Saudi Arabia to Issue E-Bracelets for Hajj 2026 Pilgrims https://thefmn.com/6717/ https://thefmn.com/6717/#respond Thu, 11 Dec 2025 20:44:03 +0000 https://thefmn.com/?p=6717 Saudi Arabia has introduced a series of enhanced safety measures for Hajj 2026, focusing on technology-driven solutions to improve security, crowd management, and the overall experience for millions of pilgrims. As part of the new plan, every pilgrim will receive an electronic bracelet, and approximately 1,000 additional surveillance cameras will be installed across major pilgrimage sites. The electronic bracelets will contain essential personal and medical information, allowing authorities to provide immediate support in case of emergencies. They will also assist pilgrims with navigation, prayer schedules, and other key rituals, featuring multilingual guidance for visitors from non-Arabic speaking countries. The newly deployed surveillance cameras will be placed in high-traffic areas to monitor crowd flow in real time. Officials say this will help prevent congestion, enable quicker responses during medical or safety incidents, and facilitate smoother movement throughout the holy sites. According to Saudi authorities, these initiatives are part of a broader strategy to strengthen public safety and operational efficiency during Hajj. By integrating digital tools with on-ground management, the aim is to minimize risks, improve communication, and ensure a more organized and secure pilgrimage experience.        

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]]> Saudi Arabia has introduced a series of enhanced safety measures for Hajj 2026, focusing on technology-driven solutions to improve security, crowd management, and the overall experience for millions of pilgrims. As part of the new plan, every pilgrim will receive an electronic bracelet, and approximately 1,000 additional surveillance cameras will be installed across major pilgrimage sites.

The electronic bracelets will contain essential personal and medical information, allowing authorities to provide immediate support in case of emergencies. They will also assist pilgrims with navigation, prayer schedules, and other key rituals, featuring multilingual guidance for visitors from non-Arabic speaking countries.

The newly deployed surveillance cameras will be placed in high-traffic areas to monitor crowd flow in real time. Officials say this will help prevent congestion, enable quicker responses during medical or safety incidents, and facilitate smoother movement throughout the holy sites.

According to Saudi authorities, these initiatives are part of a broader strategy to strengthen public safety and operational efficiency during Hajj. By integrating digital tools with on-ground management, the aim is to minimize risks, improve communication, and ensure a more organized and secure pilgrimage experience.

 

 

 

 

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]]> https://thefmn.com/6717/feed/ 0 Hajj 2026: Photography Banned in Masjid Al Haraam & Masjid Un Nabwi https://thefmn.com/6710/ https://thefmn.com/6710/#respond Thu, 11 Dec 2025 19:58:12 +0000 https://thefmn.com/?p=6710 Saudi Arabia has announced a complete prohibition on photography and videography inside Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah for the Hajj 2026 (1447H) season. The ban covers all devices capable of capturing images or video — including mobile phones, digital cameras, professional recording equipment — and applies to both indoor and outdoor spaces of the two holy mosques. According to authorities, this measure has been introduced to protect pilgrim privacy, maintain the spiritual sanctity of the sacred sites, and ensure smoother crowd movement during one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings. Background and Reasons for the Ban The decision was jointly reviewed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, and the Ministry of Interior, following a rise in concerns related to excessive photography during peak worship periods. The main objectives include: 1. Preserving the Sacred EnvironmentPhoto-taking, content creation, and frequent selfie attempts have increasingly disrupted the spiritual atmosphere inside both mosques. 2. Ensuring Pilgrim PrivacyWith millions gathered in close quarters, unauthorized recording often leads to privacy breaches and formal complaints. 3. Preventing Safety and Congestion IssuesSecurity teams have reported dangerous crowd slowdowns caused by people …

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]]> Saudi Arabia has announced a complete prohibition on photography and videography inside Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah for the Hajj 2026 (1447H) season. The ban covers all devices capable of capturing images or video — including mobile phones, digital cameras, professional recording equipment — and applies to both indoor and outdoor spaces of the two holy mosques.

According to authorities, this measure has been introduced to protect pilgrim privacy, maintain the spiritual sanctity of the sacred sites, and ensure smoother crowd movement during one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings.

Background and Reasons for the Ban

The decision was jointly reviewed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, and the Ministry of Interior, following a rise in concerns related to excessive photography during peak worship periods. The main objectives include:

1. Preserving the Sacred Environment
Photo-taking, content creation, and frequent selfie attempts have increasingly disrupted the spiritual atmosphere inside both mosques.

2. Ensuring Pilgrim Privacy
With millions gathered in close quarters, unauthorized recording often leads to privacy breaches and formal complaints.

3. Preventing Safety and Congestion Issues
Security teams have reported dangerous crowd slowdowns caused by people stopping near high-traffic areas, including the Kaaba, Rawdah, entrances, and Tawaf/Sa’i pathways.

4. Building on Earlier Restrictions
Saudi authorities first introduced photography limitations in 2017, reinforced them in 2024, and expanded them in 2025 to Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah. The 2026 policy represents the first fully comprehensive ban enforced specifically for the Hajj period.

What Is Not Allowed Under the New Policy?

During Hajj 2026, the following activities are strictly prohibited within both holy mosques:

  • Mobile phone photography

  • Any type of video recording

  • Selfies or group photos

  • Use of GoPro, DSLR, or mirrorless cameras

  • Livestreaming on social media

  • Holding phones above crowds

  • Influencer-style or commercial content creation

The ban will remain in effect throughout the Hajj 2026 season to ensure safety, respect, and a spiritually focused environment for all pilgrims.

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]]> https://thefmn.com/6710/feed/ 0 South Korea Opens First-Ever Islamic Art Gallery https://thefmn.com/6693/ https://thefmn.com/6693/#respond Sun, 07 Dec 2025 21:32:56 +0000 https://thefmn.com/?p=6693 South Korea has made history by unveiling its first-ever permanent Islamic art gallery at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul — a major milestone celebrated by KOREA.net. The new gallery, titled “Islamic Art: A Magnificent Journey,” marks a bold step toward embracing global cultures. Created in collaboration with the world-renowned Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, the exhibition reflects South Korea’s growing fascination with the beauty, depth and legacy of Islamic civilization. Museum officials say the partnership aims to open a window into the vast world of Islamic art — showcasing centuries of craftsmanship, breathtaking patterns, and artistic brilliance that shaped regions from the Middle East to Central and South Asia. Visitors can now explore a carefully curated selection of masterpieces featuring intricate designs, geometric perfection, and diverse materials that define Islamic artistic traditions. The experience highlights how these aesthetics evolved and travelled across continents over hundreds of years. Leaders at the National Museum call the gallery’s launch a powerful step toward strengthening cultural exchange between South Korea and the Muslim world — offering Korean audiences a rare opportunity to engage with the richness and diversity of Islamic heritage. Founded in 1945 and housing more than 220,000 artifacts, …

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]]> South Korea has made history by unveiling its first-ever permanent Islamic art gallery at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul — a major milestone celebrated by KOREA.net.

The new gallery, titled “Islamic Art: A Magnificent Journey,” marks a bold step toward embracing global cultures. Created in collaboration with the world-renowned Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, the exhibition reflects South Korea’s growing fascination with the beauty, depth and legacy of Islamic civilization.

Museum officials say the partnership aims to open a window into the vast world of Islamic art — showcasing centuries of craftsmanship, breathtaking patterns, and artistic brilliance that shaped regions from the Middle East to Central and South Asia.

Visitors can now explore a carefully curated selection of masterpieces featuring intricate designs, geometric perfection, and diverse materials that define Islamic artistic traditions. The experience highlights how these aesthetics evolved and travelled across continents over hundreds of years.

Leaders at the National Museum call the gallery’s launch a powerful step toward strengthening cultural exchange between South Korea and the Muslim world — offering Korean audiences a rare opportunity to engage with the richness and diversity of Islamic heritage.

Founded in 1945 and housing more than 220,000 artifacts, the National Museum of Korea is the country’s most prominent institution for history, art, and cultural preservation. Meanwhile, the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar — designed by legendary architect I. M. Pei and opened in 2008 — holds one of the world’s most extensive and iconic Islamic art collections.

This new gallery is more than an exhibition — it’s a cultural bridge, a celebration of beauty, and a journey through one of the world’s most influential artistic traditions.

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]]> https://thefmn.com/6693/feed/ 0 Foreigners Can Now Buy Land in Saudi Arabia https://thefmn.com/6690/ https://thefmn.com/6690/#respond Sun, 07 Dec 2025 21:22:37 +0000 https://thefmn.com/?p=6690 The new Law establishes a clear regulatory framework allowing non-Saudi individuals and entities—whether residents or nonresidents—to own and invest in real estate within specific zones approved across the Kingdom. This reform supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives by attracting foreign investment, broadening the property market, and encouraging urban growth, while still upholding key regulatory protections. Overall, it represents a major shift toward a more open and investor-friendly real estate environment for non-Saudis. Under the Law, non-Saudis may own real estate or obtain property-related rights within areas designated by the Council of Ministers. These rights include: Full ownership, granting legal title to real estate Other real rights, such as usufruct (use and benefit of property), easements, and similar entitlements Those eligible to own property under the Law include: Non-Saudi individuals, regardless of residency status Non-Saudi companies, whether or not they operate in the Kingdom Diplomatic missions and international organizations (subject to reciprocity and Ministry of Foreign Affairs approval) Non-Saudi nonprofit entities Saudi companies with foreign shareholders   The law will be effective from January 2026.

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]]> The new Law establishes a clear regulatory framework allowing non-Saudi individuals and entities—whether residents or nonresidents—to own and invest in real estate within specific zones approved across the Kingdom. This reform supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives by attracting foreign investment, broadening the property market, and encouraging urban growth, while still upholding key regulatory protections. Overall, it represents a major shift toward a more open and investor-friendly real estate environment for non-Saudis.

Under the Law, non-Saudis may own real estate or obtain property-related rights within areas designated by the Council of Ministers. These rights include:

  • Full ownership, granting legal title to real estate

  • Other real rights, such as usufruct (use and benefit of property), easements, and similar entitlements

Those eligible to own property under the Law include:

  • Non-Saudi individuals, regardless of residency status

  • Non-Saudi companies, whether or not they operate in the Kingdom

  • Diplomatic missions and international organizations (subject to reciprocity and Ministry of Foreign Affairs approval)

  • Non-Saudi nonprofit entities

  • Saudi companies with foreign shareholders

 

The law will be effective from January 2026.

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