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Egypt has contacted Saudi authorities after a video circulated showing an altercation between a pilgrim and a security officer at the Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) in Mecca, prompting Saudi Public Security to announce the detention of an Egyptian man for violating regulations.
Egyptian Ambassador Haddad el-Gohary, assistant foreign minister for consular affairs, said on Tuesday that the Foreign Ministry has instructed the Egyptian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah to contact the authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to clarify the circumstances of the incident.
He added that the matter is currently being followed up with the Saudi authorities.
That came after Saudi Public Security issued a statement on Tuesday confirming that the Special Forces for Hajj and Umrah immediately detained the Egyptian man who appeared in a circulated video.
The circulated video showed a Saudi security officer dealing with a man and a woman at the Grand Mosque.
The video also showed a security officer pushing, which some viewed as unacceptable and as mistreatment of pilgrims in the Grand Mosque.
The video sparked widespread debate on social media, with commentators split between those who argued that the pilgrim was at fault for not complying with the officer’s instructions and “provoking” him and others who said the security officer should have “kept his composure” in the situation.
Saudi Public Security announced that the detainee was held for violating regulations and would complete legal procedures against him.
The incident led to a heated exchange of words, prompting mixed reactions online.
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