Saudi Arabia denies suicide attack rumour at Grand Mosque in Mecca; man held for causing disturbance
Saudi authorities say no explosive or jacket was found; one man was detained for harassing worshippers and has been referred to the Public Prosecution.
Reports that a suicide attack was attempted at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, spread rapidly on social media over the past few hours. The mosque is regarded as extremely sacred and important. The Saudi Public Security Directorate has now issued an official clarification.
According to claims circulating on the internet, a suspect wearing an explosives jacket entered a highly sensitive part of the mosque and got very close to the Kaaba. Some incomplete reports also said a technical fault in the explosive device had prevented a blast. The rumours caused concern and fear among Muslims across the world.
Saudi officials have completely denied the reports of a suicide attack or an attempted bombing. The administration said no explosive material or jacket was found in the mosque. It also appealed to people not to believe unverified or misleading reports.
Although the claim of a suicide attack proved false, security forces have detained one person in the mosque's precincts. According to the Saudi Public Security Directorate, the man had begun harassing worshippers and local residents entering and leaving the Grand Mosque without reason. He also tried to spread panic and fear among people by creating a disturbance in the sacred surroundings of the mosque.
Recognising the seriousness of the incident, security personnel arrested him at the spot immediately. After the preliminary inquiry required under Saudi law was completed, the case has been handed to the Public Prosecution for further legal action and investigation. The administration again stressed that strict steps will be taken against any act that disturbs the security and peace of religious places.
The intense military and political tension in the Middle East is believed to be behind the incident. Saudi Arabia recently made a serious allegation that Yemen's Houthi rebels had tried to target the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. According to the Saudi-led military coalition, the Houthi rebels carried out a drone attack on the Taiba power distribution centre in Medina. The centre plays an important role in supplying electricity to the holy mosque.
Houthi chief Abdul Malik al-Houthi, on the other hand, has rejected all of Saudi Arabia's claims. According to Houthi leaders, claims of attacks on Mecca or religious sites are propaganda spread to hide the Saudi government's political and military failure. The Houthis have countercharged that Saudi Arabia is fabricating such stories to win the sympathy of the Muslim world. They also said the Houthi group is targeting only Saudi military bases, airports and oil refineries.
