Saudi officer who gave old pilgrim his shoes in act of kindness tells the story

The Saudi security officer whose act of kindness toward an old female pilgrim went viral on social media after he removed his shoes placed them on her feet, said in an interview with Al Arabiya English that what he did was a very simple gesture.

Jumaan al-Sebyani said that he was leaving the Mecca Grand Mosque on Friday, when he saw the Pakistani “Hajja” wearing shoes made out of carton, and could hardly walk.

He said: “I spontaneously rushed toward her taking off my shoes to place them on her feet.”

The security officer said a male companion insisted he walk with them to the hotel where they were staying to take his shoes back, but Sebyani refused, telling them: “This is the minimum we can do for our guests.”

Sebyani said when he went home, he got phone calls and knew about the video of his act of kindness which went viral on social media, getting praise from every one, adding: “We as security for the Grand Mosque receive guidance from our wise leadership, as we carry the spirit of the teachings of our religion, which taught us compassion and humanity, and this is how security personnel should act.”

The Saudi security officer was honored by the assistant director of public security for Hajj and Umrah and commander of the Special Forces of the Grand Mosque.

Prince Khalid Al Faisal, advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the governor of Mecca, said during a press conference held at the shelter center in Muzdalifah: “I congratulate this man, his family and the community in which he grew up.”