Saudi authorities release never seen before images of the Black Stone at Kaaba
- 03 May 2021
Gulf Today Report
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has recently documented the Black Stone at the Holy Kaaba inside Grand Mosque using the technique of stacked panoramic focus.
It is a technique in which images are combined with different clarity, in order to produce a single image with greater accuracy and high quality.
This is the first time that the world will have a much closer look at the Black Stone.
The images captured are so clear that one can see each and every part of the the stone with never seen before clarity.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has announced that it will permit citizens immunised against COVID-19 to travel abroad from May 17, the interior ministry said Sunday, more than a year after Saudis were barred from external trips.
The minstry said three categories of people would be considered immunised -- those who have received two doses of the coronavirus vaccine, those administered a single dose at least 14 days prior to travel, and people who have recovered from the infection within the last six months.
Last month, Saudi Arabia permitted only people immunised against COVID-19 to perform the year-round umrah pilgrimage from the start ofthe Holy Month of Ramadan.
Saudis under the age of 18 -- an age group that is not receiving vaccines -- would also be allowed to travel from May 17, provided they carry an insurance policy approved by the central bank, the ministry said in a statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency.
"The decision to lift the suspension on citizens travelling outside Saudi Arabia will go into effect at 1:00 am on May 17," the ministry said, adding that the kingdom will re-open its land, sea and air borders.
The policy represents an incentive for citizens, barred from travelling abroad since the pandemic began, to get vaccinated.
