Two Imams, one from Algeria and one from Turkey were arrested by Saudi Arabia Police for making prayers for Palestine in the holy mosques.
As per news reports, the Algerian Imam was detained at the mosque of the Prophet in Madina after he made prayers for the people of Gaza in Palestine.
The Imam was later released after six hours, only after a local court ordered the confiscation of his mobile phone.
Mustafa Efe, a revered imam recognized for his heartening cat videos in Istanbul’s Üsküdar district, found himself detained in Mecca due to his choice of words.
Educated at Marmara University and Ankara University’s Theology Faculty, Efe previously served at Üsküdar’s Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi Mosque.
Efe broke the news of his detention in Mecca through a concise video on social media. He revealed that authorities apprehended him solely because he used the words ‘Gaza’ and ‘Palestine,’ accompanying the disclosure with an image showing him in shackles.
Despite the ordeal, Efe managed to maintain his religious obligations throughout his detention. He signified the conclusion of this period by sharing an image from the revered Kaaba, underscoring his unwavering commitment to worship.
This incident, occurring in the revered Masjid e Haram area, has sparked attention and worry.
Efe’s experience highlighted the intricacies of political sensitivities, even within sacred religious settings, spotlighting unforeseen consequences arising from their expression.