Makkah imam warns against gross misuse of holy sites

Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Humaid, imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, urged worshippers to be cautious against those who "seek to misuse the holy sites for their nefarious political designs as well as to create confusion, schism and sedition among the faithful."

In his Friday sermon, Sheikh Bin Humaid emphasized that the Saudi government won’t allow any individual or outfit to commit sacrilege on the holy sites and undermine the security and safety of Haj and Umrah pilgrims as well as visitors to the holy mosques, the Saudi Press Agency reported. “The government is keen to fulfill its responsibility and will take decisive and stringent measures to ensure the security of the nation, safety of citizens and expatriates,” he said.

Sheikh Bin Humaid, a former president of the Shoura Council, warned that there are some mischief makers who are trying to spread lies and baseless rumors in order to create confusion while spreading sedition among the ranks of believers.

“They are attempting to target pilgrims and visitors to the holy sites by upsetting their safety, serenity and comfort while performing rituals, besides violating the sanctity of the holy places and the pilgrimage season through planning demonstrations, gatherings, calls and sloganeering that have nothing to do with the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him),” he said.

Sheikh Bin Humaid urged believers to be wary against those who are engaged in spreading rumors through various means of media and other platforms, while not falling victim to such practices, which are a taboo in Islam.

This article first appeared in the Saudi Gazette on May 21, 2016.