Makkah unfazed by attack

By Abdulaziz Al-Rabie and Ashwaq Al-Tuwairqi Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — Life continued as normal in Al-Barzah village, 65 km from Makkah, where parts of a missile fired by Houthis fell after it was intercepted by the air defense. “Traffic flow in the streets of the village was as usual even though there were parts of the intercepted missiles on the sides of the streets,” said a village resident. “People are shocked by the audacity of terrorist organizations, their disregard for human rights and their disrespect for the Holy Cities,” he said. Umm Al-Qura University Islamic Studies College Head and member at the National Committee for the Human Rights Commission Mohammad Al-Sahli said the missile attack is not the first that the Holy City has endured. “The Houthi’s attempt to spread fear and terror in the hearts of Muslims and the people of Makkah was feeble. Makkah has endured harsher events throughout history. What the Houthis have done is child’s play,” said Al-Sahli. He added that the Houthis are cooperating with Iran in an attempt to impose the rule of the Safawid dynasty. “One of the most horrific attacks on the Holy City was the massacre that happened in 1021 Hijri during the Haj season. A man named Abu Taher Al-Qurmuti raided the Grand Mosque and the holy sites. He killed hundreds of pilgrims, stole their money and left their women and children to die in the desert,” said Al-Sahli. Al-Qurmuti attacked again after five years. “He broke the gate of the Kaaba, tore down the Kiswa and broke the black stone and dispersed the pieces among his supporters and friends,” said Al-Sahli “Iran carried out a number of attacks on the Holy City such as the massacre during the Haj of 1985, the attack on Makkah in 1986 and the poisonous mustard gas attack which caused the death of tens of pilgrims and injuries to hundreds of pilgrims on Eid Al-Adha of 1993,” said Al-Sahli. He said Makkah is under the protection of Allah and no human force will be able destroy it.