Makkah: The man who came to the Muslim holy city of Makkah to perform the Umrah pilgrimage for the late Queen Elizabeth has been arrested. He had shared a video stating that he had come to Makkah to perform Umrah and that his deed was for the late Queen Elizabeth. This spread widely in Saudi and many people came forward demanding action against him. This is followed by Saudi police action.
The Saudi authorities informed that the Yemeni national was arrested. He reached the Masjid-ul-Haram in Makkah on Monday and made the video. His video performance was holding a banner that read, “Umrah for the soul of the late Queen Elizabeth. I am asking God to admit her to heaven along with the believers.”
The Saudi government has banned people from coming to Makkah by raising banners and slogans. His entry was in violation of this. While it is acceptable to perform Umrah for deceased Muslims, it is not permissible for non-Muslims. The late Queen Elizabeth was also the supreme governor of the Church of England, the mother church of Anglican communities worldwide.
According to a statement issued by the Saudi authorities, security officials arrested a Yemeni citizen who entered the Masjid al-Haram with a banner in violation of all the instructions and regulations of Umrah. The statement also said that he was arrested and referred to public prosecution.
Meanwhile, the incident involving the controversial video clip was aired by Saudi media, but the text of the banner was obscured. Unlike Hajj, Umrah is a pilgrimage that can be performed at any time. Queen Elizabeth passed away on Thursday. The Queen’s funeral will be held on September 19.