RIYADH: Saudi police have arrested an armed man, shouting slogans in support of terrorist outfits, from the first floor of Makkah’s Grand Mosque (the Holy Kaaba) on March 30, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
According to a spokesperson for the Makkah police, the man had been spotted at the mosque’s first floor, brandishing a knife and sloganeering after Asr (evening) prayer and was immediately arrested by the Grand Mosque Security Force.
The spokesperson further said that legal proceedings had been initiated against the suspect. The man was reportedly heard shouting expressions supporting terrorist groups and organisations.
Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques, said, “The man did not respect the sanctity of the place. God has made the Grand Mosque a place of worship, including prayer, tawaf (circumambulation) and Hajj.”
Earlier in October 2020, a Saudi man crashed his speeding car into the outer gates of the Grand Mosque. Guards had chased the driver as he crashed through two barriers before hitting one of the southern entrances of the mosque.
