Muslims worldwide have fired up social media after a video emerged of a man tried to set himself ablaze next to the sacred Kaaba in Mecca’s Grand Mosque.
The shocking viral footage shows security forces and pilgrims panickedly restraining the individual, who had allegedly doused himself in petrol before he could stopped.
It is not yet clear why the young man attempted to self-immolate in this significant location, but local authorities have indicated that he may have mental health problems.
“He was held before he went on with his dramatic self-immolation act and his behavior indicates that he is mentally ill,” Major Sameh al-Salami, a police representative, said in a statement on Tuesday.
He added that the appropriate legal proceedings would be taken against the perpetrator.
The dramatic incident took place next to the holiest site in Islam on Monday, and quickly sparked off harsh criticism across social media, as the footage was shared like wildfire. A hashtag, “a man has been arrested for trying to burn the Kaaba” took off on Twitter, despite indications that the individual was not in fact targeting the holy structure.
#القبض_علي_شخص_حاول_حرق_الكعبه
How people forget ALLAHﷻ is Himself protecting the #Kaaba. Didn't they read #Quran?pic.twitter.com/NXa20SRZUR— AY (@AYPAKMUSLIM) February 7, 2017
#القبض_علي_شخص_حاول_حرق_الكعبه
— #B. (@x220_) February 7, 2017
The most beautiful place on earth . pic.twitter.com/VS1zvOoh9o
#القبض_علي_شخص_حاول_حرق_الكعبه They tried but they failed, it's protected by Allah
— AshwaQ (@iashwaq_g) February 7, 2017
#القبض_علي_شخص_حاول_حرق_الكعبه
— #B. (@x220_) February 7, 2017
Why would you do this to that beauty?! pic.twitter.com/niR3S0Cj7o
#القبض_علي_شخص_حاول_حرق_الكعبه
— Sara fawad khan (@fk656627) February 7, 2017
God keeps Meccapic.twitter.com/y9SosIpaR9
The outside of the Kaaba, to which millions of Muslims across the world direct their prayers five times a day, has reportedly been cleaned since the incident.
All Muslims are required to complete the Hajj pilgrimage once in a lifetime, which includes circumambulating the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction. Visits conducted at this time of year are called the “Umrah” or lesser pilgrimage.
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