Makkah: Miscreant attempts self-immolation in Grand Mosque, arrested

February 7, 2017

Makkah, Feb 7: Saudi police arrested an apparently "mentally disturbed" man who tried to set himself on fire at Islam's holiest site, the Grand Mosque in Makkah, a police spokesman said today.

The man, in his 40s and a Saudi citizen, "poured petrol on himself and tried to set it alight," Grand Mosque police spokesman Major Sameh al-Salami said.

"His behaviour gives the impression that he is mentally disturbed."

The incident happened last night right next to the Kaaba, the cubic stone structure at the heart of the mosque towards which Muslims pray.

Pilgrims and police escorted the man away before he could light the petrol, footage posted on social media showed.

Witnesses told Saudi media that the man also tried to set fire to the kiswah, the black and gold silk curtain that covers the Kaaba.

One witness told the Sabq news website that the man had been uttering "takfiri" slogans, referring to extremist Islamist groups blamed for numerous attacks worldwide.

The huge flow of pilgrims into the Grand Mosque makes security checks at the gates extremely difficult.

In November 1979, the Grand Mosque was seized by more than 400 people led by Saudi Juhayman al-Oteibi who claimed to have with them the redeemer -- the mahdi.

They seized pilgrims as hostages and it took special forces a fortnight of fierce gun battles to retake the mosque compound.

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Post-Sabarimala pilgrimage drinking party turns fatal in Udupi; youth killed in midnight brawl

News Network

December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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