Al-Azhar condemns attempt to target Mecca as assault on Islamic holy sites

Al-Azhar has condemned an attempt to strike Mecca, denouncing it as a crime against the sanctity of the sacred land and warning against expanding the conflict to holy sites.

• Al-Azhar condemned and denounced the attempt to target Mecca as a crime and an assault on the sanctity of the sacred land.
• The institution warned against expanding the conflict to reach Islamic holy sites and said Mecca must not become a battleground.
• Al-Azhar affirmed that the sanctity of Mecca is a tenet of Islamic creed that may not be violated.
• It said the security of the two holy mosques concerns two billion Muslims and is a responsibility to be respected by Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
• Egypt's Foreign Ministry condemned the attempt to target Mecca as a flagrant violation of the sanctity of religious sites and voiced full support for Saudi Arabia's security.
• Saudi Arabia condemned the Houthi drone launch toward Mecca as a violation of sacred sentiments and a provocation of Muslims, noting it was the second such attempt after 2017.
• The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted and destroyed the drone south of Mecca before it entered the city's restricted airspace.
• The Gulf Cooperation Council's Secretary-General, Jassim Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, condemned the drone attempt as a grave escalation and demanded an international stance to hold those responsible accountable.
• Jordan's foreign ministry condemned the Houthi drone attack as a violation of Saudi sovereignty and international law.
• Kuwait affirmed that Saudi Arabia's security is integral to its own security and the stability of the Gulf.
• The UAE Foreign Ministry condemned the Houthi attempt to target Mecca as a blatant violation of Saudi sovereignty and a threat to its security and stability, affirming full solidarity with Saudi Arabia.