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The General Directorate of Public Security issued a statement clarifying the facts surrounding an incident at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. According to the directorate, security authorities in the holy capital arrested an individual after he harassed passersby and caused fear and panic among them. The man was dealt with immediately, necessary legal procedures were completed and the case was referred to the Public Prosecution.
The directorate stressed that claims circulating on social media about a suicide bomber at the mosque were entirely false. It called on the public to seek information exclusively from official channels to prevent the spread of misinformation. This response came after videos and posts alleged that a person wearing an explosive vest had approached the Kaaba.
Further reporting by multiple outlets revealed that the footage being shared originated from a February 2017 event, as detailed in a report by Arab News at the time. In that incident, security personnel prevented a man from setting himself on fire after he doused his clothes in petrol near the holy site. No suicide vest or bombing attempt was involved in the earlier occurrence, which took place several years ago.
The Grand Mosque in Makkah, home to the Kaaba, represents the most sacred site in Islam and attracts millions of pilgrims annually for the Hajj and Umrah rituals. Maintaining security at this location remains a paramount concern for Saudi officials given its religious significance and high visitor volume. Past events have underscored the need for vigilance around these holy places.
A suicide bombing near the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah in July 2016 resulted in the deaths of four security officers during Eid celebrations, an attack that drew widespread condemnation from Muslim communities worldwide according to reports from that period. On the same day as the Makkah clarification, the Houthi militia targeted a power station supplying electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, according to the Pakistan Observer. Saudi authorities continue to manage security threats at these key religious locations.
In its statement, the General Directorate of Public Security reiterated the absence of any bombing-related activities at the Grand Mosque. The directorate provided no further details about the identity of the arrested individual or additional circumstances of the detention. Legal action against the man is proceeding through standard prosecution channels.
