Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2014-05-29

A picture of a Saudi policeman leaning on the holy Ka’ba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia with his shoes against the wall just above the Hajre Aswad (black stone) while controlling crowds has caused outrage.

Makkah Governor Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah has expressed his indignation at the incident.

Prince Mishaal urged Makkah region’s police chief Major General Abdul Aziz Al-Souli to investigate the incident and called for disciplinary action against the policeman for failing to live up to the privilege and honor of serving in such a holy place.

The prince said such an attitude would not be tolerated.

Saudi newspapers reported the news, expressing shock at the image, while on social media, reactions to the picture went viral.

Reactions ranged from “gentle understanding of his condition after hours of confronting challenges to outright condemnation for not respecting the sanctity of the place,” according to Gulf News.

Displaying the sole of one’s foot or touching someone, or something sacred, with a shoe or with feet is considered highly offensive in the Arab culture.

The Ka’ba is at the center of Islam’s most sacred masjid al-Masjid al-Haram, in Makkah.

Multiple parts of the Hajj pilgrimage requires pilgrims to make Tawaf, circumambulation, seven times around the Ka’ba.
 
Prince Mishaal instructed the police chief to hold special awareness programs for security, military and civilian officers working at the two holy masaajid’s to respect the sacredness of these vicinities and to deal with pilgrims and visitors decently.

Saudi bloggers have condemned the policeman’s action and said such people who do not respect the place’s sanctity should not be appointed to maintain law and order at holy sites.

One blogger, who is studying in the UK on the King Abdullah Foreign Scholarship Program, urged Saudi security officers to learn from British royal guards who stand for hours like idols.

“We should have a special force for the two holy mosques, who will be physically fit and wear military dress especially designed to suit the holy place,” he said.

He also pointed out that these officers should be given special training to deal with worshippers and visitors politely.

“We are talking about the holiest place in the world and not Buckingham Palace,” he added.

(Twitter: @Faizie143)