Syria’s historic Great Umayyad Mosque in Aleppo officially reopened on October 8 following extensive restoration work, marking a significant moment for the country’s cultural and religious heritage. The mosque, which dates back to the early eighth century, was closed in 2013 after suffering severe damage during Syria’s civil war. Restoration efforts began following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, aiming to repair the historic complex and bring it back into use. The reopening ceremony was attended by senior officials, marking a major milestone in efforts to restore

🇦🇿 New hijab restrictions in Azerbaijan are now being enforced. In Celilabad, schoolgirls wearing headscarves were turned away at the school gates and sent home. Azerbaijan’s new school uniform rules, introduced under the principle of secular education, are being applied strictly, and many are calling it a de facto hijab ban. 🤬1

🇸🇦 HOUTHIS STRIKE RIYADH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Yemen’s Houthi militia claim to have targeted Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport with ballistic missiles, as attacks on Saudi Arabia intensify. More than 275 flights were cancelled at the airport, while Lufthansa and Air India temporarily suspended flights to the Saudi capital.