MAKKAH: Saudi authorities arrested a man who claimed to have travelled to holy city of Makkah to perform Umrah on behalf of late Queen Elizabeth II.

Man a Yemeni national published a video clip of himself on social media at Grand Masjid in Makkah, Islam’s holiest site, where non-Muslims are forbidden. In clip, he held up a banner saying, “Umrah for soul of Queen Elizabeth II, we ask God to accept her in heaven and among righteous.” Footage was widely circulated on Saudi social media, with Twitter users calling for man’s arrest. Saudi Arabia forbids pilgrims to Makkah from carrying banners or chanting slogans.

And while it is acceptable to perform Umrah on behalf of deceased Muslims, this does not apply to non-Muslims like queen, who was supreme governor of Church of England, mother church of worldwide Anglican Communion. Security forces at Grand Masjid “arrested a resident of Yemeni nationality who appeared in a video clip carrying a banner inside Grand Masjid, violating regulations and instructions for Umrah,”.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 14 2022

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