1+ hour, 53+ min ago (170+ words) ALBAWABA - Lebanon is set to welcome the Head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV today in Beirut as he is expected to arrive in Lebanon at 3:45 p.m. local time, Lebanese media reported. Before being in Lebanon, Pope Leo landed in Turkey, where he was welcomed by Turkish officials, including Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and senior church leaders. The Pope was also received at the Presidential Palace in Ankara by President Recep Tayyip Erdo'an. Today, November 30, Pope Leo XIV will arrive in Lebanon. Lebanese activists flooded social media with dozens of posts mocking several posters to welcome the pope that were placed across many streets in Lebanon, but why? Dozens of comments were made online with people joking about welcoming a dead Pope to Lebanon. One said, "Intention matters, even if the Pope is dead. Thanks to Sheikh…...

2+ week, 3+ day ago (180+ words) ALBAWABA - Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was received by Jewish Rabbi Youssef Hamra, a prominent figure in the Syrian Jewish community, in Washington on Tuesday during his visit to the United States." According to sources close to both delegations, the Syrian president got the "Abrahamic blessing" from the Jewish Rabbi so he could establish a good future for his country. Rabbi Hamra, who originally comes from a Syrian Jewish family, assured al-Sharaa that "God is watching over him," expressing his hope for a renewed era of peace in the Middle Eastern country. The meeting took place during the Syrian president's historic diplomatic visit to the U.S., during which he met President Donald Trump and American officials in the White House. Hamra, known for his commitment to preserving Syrian Jewish heritage and defending the rights of Jews in the Levant, has campaigned for…...

2+ week, 6+ day ago (210+ words) ALBAWABA - As Iran faces a water crisis caused by drought, an Islamic cleric has sparked debate on social media by blaming the government for failing to "enforce the mandatory hijab law," according to Iran International English. Member of Iran's Assembly of Experts "Mohsen Araki said, "Drought, the water crisis and reduced rainfall are signs of God's warning to awaken us from negligence and heedlessness toward Him." He added, "The water situation in the country goes beyond a mere natural crisis, and officials must pay attention to its social and religious consequences. These actions have negative effects, and society must be sensitive to these deviations." His words caused a flood of comments on social media from individuals who described Araki's words as "hilarious" and lacking in evidence. A social media user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "This is a mental sickness....

3+ week, 2+ day ago (265+ words) In his post, Ramadan said, "After dawn today, Friday, November 7, 2025, my dear father went to the place where the dead go to rest and live forever." May God have mercy on him and give him and all of your loved ones who have died a place in paradise. We do belong to God, and we will return to Him (19482025). He also sent another post with the words, "Yes, we belong to God, and we will return to Him." My beloved father has died. After Friday prayer at the Mustafa Mahmoud Mosque in Mohandessin, there will be a funeral prayer. The body will then be buried in the 6th of October graves. God, please give him a place in Your big paradise. Ramadan also said, "My father taught me to be dedicated and happy." He never let the outside world bother him,…...