Watan-In conjunction with his warning to pilgrims against raising any flags during their presence in the holy sanctuaries, amid the recent wave of raising the Palestinian flag in solidarity with Palestinians during the Israeli war on Gaza, activists have circulated a video clip of an Algerian citizen rebuking Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, the President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, after his warning to pilgrims against raising slogans and chants in the Haram.
In the video from 2018, Al-Sudais was concluding his speech during that incident and was about to leave when the Algerian citizen requested to discuss with him. He said to him, “How do you speak to us about security while you besiege and starve your brothers in Yemen and in Qatar?”
He added, “You supported the coup in 1992 in Algeria and the coup in Egypt (and attempted) the coup in Turkey… May God hold you accountable, you are the ones who support… O advocates of the palace, you are responsible on the Day of Resurrection for your stance.”
“أنتم يا دعاة البلاط مسؤولون يوم القيامة وستلاحقكم اللعنة إلى ذلك اليوم”.. ناشطون يعيدون تداول مقطعًا لمواطن جزائري يوبّخ الشيخ عبد الرحمن السديس، رئيس الهيئة العامة بشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي بعد تحذيره المعتمرين من رفع الشعارات والهتافات في الحرم#غزة_العزة pic.twitter.com/yvCzFN71uB
— نون بوست (@NoonPost) February 27, 2024
While some urged him to remain silent, he responded that silence in the face of sedition is sedition itself, and continued, “He now comes to preach to us while advocating for killing our brothers in Yemen just like the Rafidites in Iran.”
He said, “You have no say, no hearing, no obedience to us today, O slaves of America, may God support the just state even if it’s disbelieving, but as for you, you are the shoes of tyrants, cursed be upon you, and you will be pursued by curses on the Day of Resurrection.”
Al-Sudais’ warning to pilgrims
The redistribution of this video came concurrently with a warning issued by Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais to all pilgrims against raising any flags during their presence in the Two Holy Mosques.
“أنتم يا دعاة البلاط مسؤولون يوم القيامة وستلاحقكم اللعنة إلى ذلك اليوم”.. ناشطون يعيدون تداول مقطعًا لمواطن جزائري يوبّخ الشيخ عبد الرحمن السديس، رئيس الهيئة العامة بشؤون المسجد الحرام والمسجد النبوي بعد تحذيره المعتمرين من رفع الشعارات والهتافات في الحرم#غزة_العزة pic.twitter.com/yvCzFN71uB
— نون بوست (@NoonPost) February 27, 2024
Al-Sudais said in statements on the sidelines of a seminar held on Sunday on the occasion of the “Foundation Day” in Saudi Arabia: “No flag in the Two Holy Mosques except the flag of monotheism… You came for worship, not to raise slogans and chants.”
He added, “Do not let emotions drive you to raise chants, security men are vigilant for anyone raising political slogans in the Two Holy Mosques.”
Al-Sudais continued his warnings, saying that the security of the Two Holy Mosques is a red line that cannot be crossed, and it is a place for worship, not for political slogans.”
Al-Sudais is viewed as one of the advocates and flatterers of the authority who promote its policies even if they represent a violation of principles.
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
Arrest of a woman who raised the Palestinian flag
Al-Sudais‘ speech came after the circulation of a video of a security officer removing a Palestinian flag from a female pilgrim in front of the Kaaba, and sources and human rights organizations said that the Saudi authorities arrested the woman.