President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has strongly condemned the attempted drone attack targeting the holy city of Makkah, expressing the Maldives’ full solidarity with Saudi Arabia as large numbers of Maldivians remain in the city for Umrah pilgrimage.
In a statement posted on social media on Wednesday, President Muizzu said any act threatening the safety and sanctity of Islam’s holiest city was “completely unacceptable” and deeply offensive to the entire Muslim Ummah.
Saudi Arabia’s air defence forces intercepted and destroyed a drone south of Makkah on Tuesday evening before it entered restricted airspace over the holy city, according to the Saudi-led coalition. Coalition spokesman Maj Gen Turki Al-Malki attributed the drone to Yemen’s Houthis.
The Houthis have denied targeting Makkah, rejecting the Saudi accusation that the group was responsible for an attack on the holy city.
President Muizzu praised the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces for their swift response in protecting Makkah, its pilgrims and residents.
“The Maldives stands in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and commends the swift response of the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces in safeguarding the Holy City, its pilgrims and residents,” President Muizzu said in his social media statement.
The incident carries particular significance for the Maldives, with many Maldivians currently in Makkah performing Umrah. Makkah is home to the Grand Mosque and the Kaaba and receives Muslims from around the world throughout the year for Umrah and during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Saudi authorities said the drone was intercepted at around 6:50 pm local time on September 15. The coalition described the security of Makkah and its pilgrims as a “red line”.
President Muizzu also called for an immediate cessation of such attacks and urged all parties to avoid further escalation and commit to peace and dialogue.
