Why Saudi Authorities Fear Pilgrims' Prayers and Solidarity for Gaza?

Pilgrims from all over the world flocked to the holy lands in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj in 2024 (1445 AH), while Israeli aggression prevented Gaza pilgrims from fulfilling this duty.

However, another type of restriction has affected the pilgrims this year. The Saudi authorities have banned all forms of solidarity and sympathy with Gaza, whether through public prayers or sermons by preachers. They have also threatened pilgrims with deportation or arrest if they raise the Palestinian flag or any slogan supporting Gaza.

Al-Rabiah’s Warnings

On June 9, 2024, just days before the Day of Arafah, a pilgrim named Dina Hussein posted a photo of herself inside the Grand Mosque wearing the famous Palestinian keffiyeh as a hijab. She said, "I was wearing the keffiyeh as a hijab and almost got deported for it, but thankfully, the special forces personnel patrolling the Haram left me alone." 

On June 6, 2024, Tawfiq al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, warned that Hajj is not for political slogans, as stated in his speech broadcast by the official local Alekhbariya TV.

“There is no place for political slogans, and this is what the Kingdom's leadership, may Allah protect it, ensures so that Hajj remains a time of utmost reverence and tranquility," he said.

Al-Rabiah's statement was met with a storm of angry posts. Activist Ahmed Fathy posted on X, "Al-Aqsa is a political slogan! Do not raise the Palestinian flag! At the very least, let people collectively pray for Al-Aqsa against those who have shed blood there for years."

Another account under the name Alaa el-Sayed added, "Gaza has become a political slogan! There is no power nor strength except with Allah."

"The rulers' clerics, killing people in Palestine and Sudan is not a political issue. The Zionists' storming of the al-Aqsa Mosque is not a political topic. This is an Islamic and humanitarian issue,” another account under the name al-Bataineh Hanan commented.

The Saudi Position

The statement by Tawfiq al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, and the treatment of pilgrims in the Kingdom align with Saudi Arabia's stance towards those showing solidarity with Gaza. This stance continues to raise questions about what is happening behind the scenes.

Why has Riyadh taken such a harsh position against those expressing sympathy and support for the beleaguered Gaza Strip, which has been under assault since October 7, 2023?

On December 7, 2023, the Detainees of Conscience account, concerned with the detainees in Saudi Arabia, confirmed the arrest of Egyptian citizen Abdelrahman Mohamed Abdelrahim who was arrested in October 2023 in Mecca while performing Umrah with his mother. The primary reason for his arrest was posting videos supporting the Palestinian cause and civilians in Gaza.

Although the Egyptian citizen was later released on April 25, 2024, his story illustrates the fate of those visiting the holy sites in Mecca and choosing to support Gaza.

Mass Arrests

On October 13, 2023, Agence France-Presse reported that its correspondent witnessed Saudi security forces handcuffing a worshiper in Medina who shouted during Friday prayers, urging the imam to "speak about Palestine, Gaza is under bombardment."

According to the agency, police cars were deployed in front of other mosques in Medina to monitor and prevent any attempts to show support or break the imposed silence by the security forces.

On November 23, 2023, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor reported that Saudi authorities arrested several visitors to the holy sites in Mecca and Medina for expressing solidarity with Gaza, including wearing the keffiyeh.

The monitor noted that security forces detained British Muslim actor and director  Islah Abdur-Rahman for wearing the keffiyeh in Mecca and interrogated him without legal grounds.

A particularly shocking and condemnable act was the Saudi police detaining individuals for publicly praying for the people of Gaza.

On November 11, 2023, an Algerian pilgrim was arrested inside the Prophet's Mosque for praying aloud for Gaza. The pilgrim appeared in a video on his TikTok account after returning to Algeria, saying he is proud to be Algerian and adding, "I am honored to have been detained in the city of the Prophet for over 6 hours because I prayed for my brothers in Palestine."

He explained that he took the opportunity to pray for the oppressed Palestinians during his Umrah pilgrimage amid the massacres committed by the Israeli Occupation forces, condemning Saudi Arabia for considering this act a crime.

"We affirm that the Saudi authorities' silencing of visitors and pilgrims is a blatant violation of all human rights standards and freedom of opinion and expression. We call on them to provide a safe environment for visitors to the holy sites," the opposition newspaper al-Watan, which focuses on Gulf affairs, commented.

Bin Salman's Anger

Nevertheless, the stringent policy towards pilgrims and visitors cannot be divorced from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's strategy aiming for normalizing with “Israel.”

On October 27, 2023, The New York Times reported that members of the U.S. Senate left Riyadh with the impression that Saudis still intend to recognize “Israel” at the opportune moment.

The newspaper quoted Senator Lindsey Graham stating that “Mohammed bin Salman spoke with pessimism and anger about Hamas's ‘attack’ on October 7.”

Graham added that from the Crown Prince's remarks, “the attack” was understood as a terrorist act, and he wants a calculated response that avoids escalating into a longer and deeper conflict, specifically eliminating Hamas quietly.

Jared Kushner, former President Trump's son-in-law, reiterated this during an interview with Fox News on October 30, after returning from Saudi Arabia, confirming their support for “Israel's vision” to accomplish the mission of eliminating Hamas.

Days before Operation al-Aqsa Flood, on September 21, 2023, Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Fox News about negotiations with “Israel,” indicating they were nearing a "historic agreement," described as the most significant since the Cold War.

Bin Salman justified his normalization deal by promising a solution for Palestinians without compromising their rights.

However, Operation al-Aqsa Flood initially buried the form that Riyadh and Tel Aviv's normalization deal would take, raising questions about whether it could continue with new terms or end without a call.

Undoubtedly, the Resistance in Palestine challenged the Crown Prince's project as a potential mediator capable of altering the conflict equation, potentially causing frustration with his regime.

Great Betrayal

Professor of Islamic Studies at Al-Azhar University, Dr. Muhammad Abu Zaid, described the collective stance of Islamic governments towards Gaza as "a great betrayal" deserving God's anger and punishment.

Abu Zaid told Al-Estiklal that “Islamic law and our noble Sharia urge every Muslim to support their oppressed brother, whether victim or wrongdoer; the wrongdoer to end their oppression, and the victim to support and defend them until their suffering ends and their injustice ceases.”

He stressed that “what is happening during the Hajj and the Islamic rituals by the Saudi authorities is unacceptable in Sharia law, and no sincere scholar of Muslims can approve it.”

"Today, amidst the aggression claiming thousands of Muslim lives in Gaza, including children and women, prayers are the weakest form of faith. So, what about preventing the weakest faith from words, prayers, and slogans that won't alleviate their hunger, but at least represent support and an argument we may present to God?"

"We must remember the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad [PBUH]: 'The blood of Muslims is equal. They are united against others and will protect even the weakest among them. They will honor their treaties, and no believer will be killed for a disbeliever.' This unity is a collective duty, meaning Muslims stand together against their enemies."

"The Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] committed himself to support the tribe of Banu Khuza’ah when the Quraysh violated their treaty and attacked them. The Prophet declared, 'I will not be helped if I do not help Banu Ka’b [Khuza’ah].' Following this, he and his companions marched to conquer Mecca. This phrase, 'I will not be helped,' serves as a timeless message to those who abandon their fellow Muslims and fail to support them," he added.

He concluded, "The motto for this year's Hajj should have been 'We will not be helped if we do not help Gaza.' All prayers and the sermon at Arafat should have been dedicated to Gaza. Gaza should not be treated as a mere political slogan."