Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic In The Middle East -- News Updates April 25, 2020

Worshippers perform Taraweeh prayer at Kaaba in the Grand Mosque on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan during the outbreak of coronavirus - a far cry from the huge crowds usually seen in the central courtyard

Daily Mail: Mecca is deserted during Ramadan as Muslims around the world are forced to celebrate in isolation due to coronavirus lockdowns

* The holy month is taking place under unprecedented circumstances this year
* Millions of Muslims who would usually pray in mosques aren't allowed
* The central courtyard at Mecca, the Prophet Muhammad's birthplace, is empty

The central courtyard of the Great Mosque of Mecca has been deserted as Muslims are forced to celebrate Ramadan in isolation amid unprecedented lockdown measures.

The courtyard is usually at its busiest during Hajj but remains open all year round for other pilgrimages meaning it is almost never empty.

But strict lockdown measures mean the holy site has been deserted at the same time as Muslims embark on Ramadan.

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Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic In The Middle East -- News Updates April 25, 2020

Iran's coronavirus death toll rises by 76 to 5,650: Health Ministry -- Reuters
Iraq's COVID-19 cases rise to 1,700 -- Xinhuanet
Kuwait announces 278 new Covid-19 cases. The country's total number of coronavirus now stands at 2,892 -- Arabian Business
Waiting in the Ruins of Idlib for Covid-19 -- Relief Web
Covid-19: 'If there was a severe outbreak in Syria, there would be a bloodbath' -- France 24
Lebanon advised to extend coronavirus lockdown to May 10 -- Reuters
Israel Eases Coronavirus Restrictions: More Stores, Hairdressers Allowed to Open -- Haaretz
Israeli coronavirus death toll nears 200, more businesses prepare to open -- Jerusalem Post
Gaza factories roar back to life to make protective wear -- AP
Virus traps, sickens foreign laborers in Gulf Arab states -- AP