RIYADH – A security officer at the โคGrand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, has been suspended andโ facesโ investigationโ following widespread condemnation of a viral video showing him apparently obstructing a womanโฃ attemptingโฃ to reach the โKaaba.โ the โคincident,โ captured on November 4, 2025, ignited public outcry across social mediaโ platforms, prompting swift โaction from mosque authorities.
The โขincident underscores the heightenedโข scrutiny โof conduct within โIslam’s holiest site and the Saudi government’s commitment to ensuring respectful access for all pilgrims. โคThe Grand Mosque draws millions of worshippers annually,โค and maintaining orderโข while upholding reverence isโค a constant challenge.โ The investigation aims to determine the full โcircumstances โขsurrounding โthe officer’s actions and ensureโ accountability,with potential disciplinary measures beyond suspension.
The video, circulating widely since November 4th, depictsโ the officer physically preventing aโ woman, โคidentified only as a pilgrim fromโค an unspecified country, from approaching the Kaaba, the cube-shapedโ structure โขat the heart of the โmosque. Social media users expressed outrage,criticizing the officer’s behavior as disrespectful and a violation of Islamic principles emphasizing the equal right of โall Muslims to worship.โ
Theโฃ Presidency for the Affairs โฃof the โTwoโ Holy Mosques announced the officer’s immediate suspensionโ pending theโ outcome โof a thorough investigation.โฃ A statement โฃreleased on November 5, 2025, affirmed the Presidency’s dedication to providing a safe and dignified experience for all visitors and โคcondemned anyโ actions that contradictโฃ these values. The Presidency emphasized โthatโข all personnelโ are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct โand respect โขtowards pilgrims.
The incident comesโข as Saudi Arabia continues โฃto invest heavily in expanding and improving facilities at the Grand Mosque and the โProphet’s Mosque in Medina to accommodateโฃ the growing number of pilgrims. The Kingdom โฃhas also implemented stricter regulations and increased security measures to manage crowds and prevent disruptions during peak seasons. The investigation into the โsecurity officer’s โconduct is expected to โฃconclude within the coming weeks, with findings to be โคmade public.
