Arrests of Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for Expressing Solidarity with the Palestinian Cause

The Pilgrimage and Umrah Violations Observatory has condemned the Saudi authorities’ escalation of arrests targeting pilgrims who express solidarity with the Palestinian cause. This comes amid the ongoing Israeli war of extermination against Gaza for over a year.

The Observatory emphasized that detaining pilgrims for supporting the Palestinian cause is an unacceptable repressive measure, violating human rights principles and international laws that safeguard freedom of expression and peaceful solidarity.

The Observatory called on Saudi authorities to disclose the whereabouts of Palestinian pilgrim Asim Al-Dahnoun, whose contact was lost on October 6, two days after he arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.

The Observatory expressed deep concern over Al-Dahnoun’s disappearance. A 22-year-old medical student studying in Belgrade, Serbia, on a scholarship, Asim is known for his vocal support of the Palestinian cause. Communication with him was cut off on October 6 amid reports of his arrest by Saudi authorities. However, there has been no official comment or clarification.

In recent years, Saudi authorities have adopted a series of violations against pilgrims and visitors to the Holy Mosques who show solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Any display or reminder of Palestine has been met with repression by the authorities.

The Observatory stated that safeguarding pilgrims to the Holy Mosques is among the core responsibilities of the authorities managing the Two Holy Mosques. However, the escalation of violations—ranging from arbitrary arrests to restrictions on freedoms—represents a breach of fundamental rights and an encroachment on the free practice of pilgrimage and Umrah.

Despite promoting its tourism sector and highlighting significant achievements in attracting visitors and increasing tourism expenditures, Saudi Arabia’s handling of Hajj and Umrah seasons, as key religious tourism events, reveals a stark contradiction.

The European-Saudi Organization for Human Rights, in a statement shared with “Saudi Leaks,” criticized the Saudi government’s propaganda for concealing severe violations that have worsened in recent years. These violations have created fear among large segments of Muslims, discouraging them from performing their religious obligations.

While Saudi Arabia boasts about the success of Hajj and Umrah and praises its security apparatus in official statements, the reality contradicts these claims. Despite limited transparency, the organization has monitored widespread violations during the pilgrimage seasons, including arbitrary arrests, which have increased since King Salman bin Abdulaziz assumed power.

In early 2024, reports emerged of Iraqi citizens being arrested, including political analyst Imad Al-Mosaffer, without any charges. Days later, Iraq’s Hajj and Umrah Authority head, Sami Al-Masoudi, confirmed the arrests, attributing them to Saudi policies targeting “political slogans and online activities.” Consequently, the arrests stemmed from chanting or sharing political expressions.

In November 2023, Saudi authorities arrested Yemeni YouTuber Fahd Ramadan during his Umrah, citing leaked messages where he criticized Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

In June 2023, Bahraini cleric Sheikh Jamil Hassan Al-Baqri was detained while performing Hajj in Mecca for reciting Dua Al-Faraj in the Grand Mosque. Similarly, in 2022, Saudi authorities arrested Lebanese pilgrim Haidar Salim for chanting religious slogans. He was later sentenced to five years in prison for sharing videos of the chants on social media.

The European-Saudi Organization for Human Rights has documented numerous similar cases, such as the 2016 arrest of a Lebanese pilgrim accused of insulting the monarchy by sitting on a photo of the king. This was followed by years of severe penalties, including imprisonment and travel bans.

Since the Israeli war on Gaza intensified in October 2023, arrests of pilgrims expressing solidarity have surged. Detained individuals include Turkish pilgrim Mustafa Efe, Egyptian TikTok activist Abdul Rahman Abdel Rahim, known as “Zelzal Al-Sa’id,” and Algerian cleric Sheikh Abdel Karim Al-Jazairi.

The recurring cases highlight a pattern of arbitrary arrests under the pretext of ensuring Hajj security. However, most accusations lack evidence of threats and often involve individuals practicing their religious or expressive freedoms.

The Organization noted that these arrests align with broader Saudi intimidation efforts over recent years, involving extensive detentions and arbitrary rulings. This directly undermines individuals’ rights to practice the quintessential Islamic obligations of Hajj and Umrah.

Arbitrary and selective arrests, coupled with a lack of transparency and the possibility of detainment upon arrival—even with a valid visa—have heightened fears among pilgrims whose beliefs or actions might be criminalized in Saudi Arabia.

This has also affected Saudi dissidents and activists living abroad, as well as journalists and researchers reporting on these violations.

The Organization concluded that the rise in restrictions and intimidation has grown under the leadership of King Salman and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, even encompassing fundamental religious practices that should remain untouchable.

It stressed that the lack of transparency and absence of independent bodies to oversee these cases contribute to worsening violations during pilgrimage seasons. Ensuring the safety of pilgrims now necessitates active involvement from embassies, consulates, and specialized organizations in countries sending pilgrims to safeguard their citizens’ rights and ensure their safe return.