The President of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi, Sheikh Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, has expressed concern over recent developments affecting Saudi Arabia and stressed the importance of protecting the sacred sites in Makkah.
He emphasized that Islam rejects aggression and calls for the protection of human life, dignity and property.
The Imam was responding to media reports that the Houthi rebels from Yemen had targeted the Holy City of Makkah with a Ballistic missile on Tuesday. Authorities in the kingdom issued a warning alert which was eventually lifted.
Sheikh Al-Sudais also urged people to remain united, avoid rumours and rely on official sources for information.
Al Jazeera Network reported on Tuesday that a drone launched by the Houthis towards Makkah was intercepted and destroyed, in an escalation that could threaten the holy city.
The Saudi-led coalition spokesperson, Turki al-Maliki, said Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces intercepted the hostile drone before it entered the restricted airspace on Tuesday evening.
The Guardian also quoted Al-Maliki saying that the security of Islam’s two holiest sites and of pilgrims was a “red line”, adding that the coalition would take necessary deterrent measures against the Houthis.
Houthis deny posing a threat to Mecca, Medina
A report by Jerusalem Post on Wednesday quoted the spokesperson of Houthis, Yahaya Saree, denying that the group targeted Makkah.
“ The fabrications and lies…cannot deceive anyone,” he said, adding that “there is no threat whatsoever from Yemen to the holy sites [Mecca and Medina].”
“Our operations target their oil facilities and military bases, and are far removed from the holy places,” he claimed.
