Worshippers at Masjid al Haram in Makkah offered special supplications for the safety of the Two Holy Mosques after Saudi authorities reported intercepting a drone near the holy city on September 15.
Videos circulating online showed worshippers raising their hands in prayer inside the Grand Mosque, seeking protection for Masjid al Haram and Masjid an Nabawi. The scenes drew widespread attention because of the unique religious importance of Makkah and Madinah to Muslims around the world.
Saudi authorities said the drone was intercepted and destroyed south of Makkah before it could enter the restricted airspace surrounding the holy city.
Saudi Arabia said its air defence forces destroyed the drone at around 6:50pm local time on September 15. Saudi officials identified the aircraft as being launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement and said it was intercepted before reaching Makkah’s restricted airspace.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry described the incident as an attempted attack directed toward Makkah. It also referenced an earlier reported attempt to target the holy city in 2017.
The Houthis, however, denied targeting Makkah or Islamic holy sites.
The reported interception came as Saudi Arabia increased security measures following a series of missile and drone incidents connected to the wider regional conflict. Security alerts were issued in Makkah, Jeddah and other areas as authorities monitored possible threats.
Makkah holds Islam’s holiest site, Masjid al Haram, while Madinah is home to Masjid an Nabawi. Both cities receive millions of Muslim visitors each year, particularly during Hajj and Umrah, making security around the holy sites a major concern for worshippers and authorities.
Against this backdrop, the prayers at Masjid al Haram became a powerful expression of devotion and concern.
Worshippers at Masjid al Haram in Makkah offered special supplications for the safety of the Two Holy Mosques after Saudi authorities reported intercepting a drone near the holy city on September 15.
Worshippers at Masjid al Haram in Makkah offered special supplications for the safety of the Two Holy Mosques after Saudi authorities reported intercepting a drone near the holy city on September 15.
Videos circulating online showed worshippers raising their hands in prayer inside the Grand Mosque, seeking protection for Masjid al Haram and Masjid an Nabawi. The scenes drew widespread attention because of the unique religious importance of Makkah and Madinah to Muslims around the world.
Saudi authorities said the drone was intercepted and destroyed south of Makkah before it could enter the restricted airspace surrounding the holy city.
Saudi Arabia said its air defence forces destroyed the drone at around 6:50pm local time on September 15. Saudi officials identified the aircraft as being launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement and said it was intercepted before reaching Makkah’s restricted airspace.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry described the incident as an attempted attack directed toward Makkah. It also referenced an earlier reported attempt to target the holy city in 2017.
The Houthis, however, denied targeting Makkah or Islamic holy sites.
The reported interception came as Saudi Arabia increased security measures following a series of missile and drone incidents connected to the wider regional conflict. Security alerts were issued in Makkah, Jeddah and other areas as authorities monitored possible threats.
Makkah holds Islam’s holiest site, Masjid al Haram, while Madinah is home to Masjid an Nabawi. Both cities receive millions of Muslim visitors each year, particularly during Hajj and Umrah, making security around the holy sites a major concern for worshippers and authorities.
Against this backdrop, the prayers at Masjid al Haram became a powerful expression of devotion and concern.
