Saudi Arabia denies reports of suicide bomber at Grand Mosque in Makkah

Anadolu Agency: Saudi authorities on Friday denied reports of a suicide bomber at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, saying a man was arrested for harassing passersby and causing panic.

“Security authorities in the holy capital arrested a person for harassing passersby and spreading fear and panic among them, and he was dealt with immediately,” authorities said in a statement on X.

“The security authorities confirm that there is no truth to the claims being circulated regarding the incident,” the statement said.

The statement provided no further details about the suspect.

Earlier claims circulating on social media alleged that a suspected suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest had approached the Holy Kaaba, before being apprehended by security personnel.

The Holy Kaaba is the most sacred place for Muslims where Hajj, Umrah and other religious duties are performed. The Kaaba was built by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son Prophet Ismail (AS).

A decade ago, a deadly suicide bombing near Islam’s second-holiest site in the Saudi city of Madina sparked condemnation across the Muslim world. Four people were killed in the bombing near Masjid-i-Nabawi — or the mosque of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) — that came as Muslims prepared for the festival of Eidul Fitr.