Imams of Holy Mosques Condemn Attempted Attack on Mecca as ‘Heinous Crime’
The Imams of the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina have condemned the Houthis’ attempt to target the holy city of Mecca. In their Friday sermons, they described the targeting of the two holy mosques as a heinous crime and an affront to religious and humanitarian values. Mr. Sheikh Bandar Baleelah, Imam and Preacher of the Grand Mosque, stated that the security of the holy sites and the lives of innocent people are a red line. He emphasized that any attempt to spread panic among Muslims and jeopardize these sacred places violates their sanctity and puts human lives at risk.
He further added that actions targeting the House of Allah and the Prophet’s Mosque contradict the teachings of Islam, accusing the Houthis of using religious slogans as a cover for destructive activities. Meanwhile, Mr. Sheikh Abdulmohsen Al-Qasim, Imam of the Prophet’s Mosque, noted that the Houthi attacks threatening Mecca and Medina reflect a terrorist ideology that seeks to justify the bloodshed of Muslims and instill fear among peaceful residents.
These statements followed a drone incident on September 15. According to the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s legitimate government, Saudi air defense forces detected a Houthi drone south of Mecca at 6:50 PM. The drone was intercepted and shot down before entering Mecca’s restricted airspace. Coalition spokesperson Mr. Turki al-Malki described the incident as the Houthis’ second attempt to target Mecca, citing a previous incident in July 2017 when a ballistic missile was launched toward the holy city.
However, the Houthis denied targeting Mecca or any other holy site. Reuters reported that a Houthi military source rejected the Saudi claims, asserting that there was no threat from their side toward Mecca or other sacred locations. Mecca is Islam’s holiest city and the primary center for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Recent Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and retaliatory strikes by Saudi-led forces in Yemen have further escalated regional tensions.
Source: Saudi Gazette, Reuters
