The inviolability of Mecca and Medina was a prominent theme in Friday sermons across Saudi Arabia. Khalid al-Muhanna, the imam of the Prophet’s Mosque, said Mecca was the place most beloved by God and home to the Kaaba, warning that an attack against it would have grave consequences.
Al-Muhanna compared the Houthis, who were alleged to have attempted to target Mecca, with the “people of the elephant” described in the account of Abraha’s army, which is said to have sought to destroy the Kaaba in the pre-Islamic era. He said the account offered a lesson about the fate of those who target Mecca.
The Quran’s Surah Al-Fil recounts how an attempt to attack the Kaaba was thwarted and the attackers were punished with birds sent against them. Islamic historical accounts identify the campaign as having been led by Abraha, the Abyssinian ruler who advanced toward Mecca intending to destroy the Kaaba.
The imam of the Prophet’s Mosque said Mecca and Medina held great inviolability in the sight of God and that the two cities were cherished in the heart of every Muslim. Al-Muhanna said the plans of those who approached the two holy sites with hostility would fail.
Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz al-Sudais, the imam of the Grand Mosque, also condemned in his sermon the alleged attempts targeting Mecca and Medina that were attributed to the Houthis. Al-Sudais described them as “criminal acts of terrorism,” saying the attempts violated Islamic law, provoked Muslims’ emotions and clearly breached international norms and agreements.
Al-Sudais described the security and sanctity of the two holy sites as an “uncrossable red line.” During his sermon, the imam prayed for the protection of Saudi Arabia’s security, stability and prosperity, as well as for the country’s leadership, security and defense forces, and personnel serving in border areas.
Riyadh says three attempts to target the sites have occurred
Saudi Arabia said that three alleged attempts to target Mecca and Medina had occurred since 2017. Riyadh said the latest two took place in September, while the Houthis denied the accusations.
The Grand Mosque and the Kaaba are located in Mecca, while the Prophet’s Mosque is in Medina. The two cities host millions of Muslims every year for the Hajj, Umrah and visits.
Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia has led a coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The Houthis have controlled Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and some provinces since September 2014.
In July, the Houthis announced what they called a “naval blockade” of Saudi Arabia. Attacks against the country were subsequently said to have increased. The group later announced that it had carried out attacks with ballistic missiles and drones against locations, airports and ships in Saudi Arabia.
