Watan-Imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque, Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, threatened to arrest anyone who raises the Palestinian flag in the Holy Mosque, using a tone resembling that of intelligence officials and security personnel.
Al-Sudais said in statements made on the sidelines of a seminar on Foundation Day in Saudi Arabia: “There is no slogan in the Two Holy Mosques except the slogan of monotheism… You have come for worship, not to raise slogans and chants.”
In a tone described by observers as derogatory to him and his position as a preacher rather than an intelligence man, he added: “Do not let emotion lead you to raise chants, security forces are on the lookout for anyone raising political slogans in the Two Holy Mosques.”
The Imam and preacher Mohammed bin Salman continued his threats, adding: “The security of the Two Holy Mosques is a red line that cannot be crossed, it is a place for worship, not for political slogans.”
لا يرفع شعار في الحرمين إلا لبيك اللهم لبيك.. رئيس الشؤون الدينية في الحرمين الشيخ عبد الرحمن السديس: جعل الله الحرمين أماكن للعبادة، ونؤكد على القاصدين ألا تغلبهم الحماسة #صحيفة_المواطن #السعودية pic.twitter.com/RUNedywaG0
— صحيفة المواطن (@almowatennet) February 25, 2024
An imam with the rank of an intelligence man
He continued his negative tone towards those sympathetic to the cause of Gaza and Al-Aqsa: “You, pilgrims to the House of Allah, have come to worship, you should pray, do not let enthusiasm take you away, and do not divert from worship.”
A video clip circulated on social media platforms showing a security man pulling the Palestinian flag from a pilgrim who raised it in front of the Kaaba, and rumors spread about the Saudi authorities arresting the woman.
🔴 هام
تأكد احتجاز السلطات السعودية لامرأة معتمرة من أمام الكعبة بسبب رفعها علم فلسطين، فيما يُعتقد أن المُحتجزة ضمن وفد المعتمرين الأتراك. pic.twitter.com/JYLxQMUsh9
— معتقلي الرأي (@m3takl) February 24, 2024
This is not the first time Al-Sudais has called for silence on Gaza’s crimes. He had previously stated that “Muslims should refer to their ruler and scholars in such situations (supporting the Palestinian cause) and not engage in what is not their right to engage in.”
Opposition circles in Saudi Arabia have revealed in recent weeks arrests of pilgrims from within the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia due to their support for Palestine and solidarity with Gaza in light of the massacres they are subjected to by Israel.