The British Muslim pilgrims to Mecca

Britons released after Saudi row A group of British Muslims who were held after an incident at the Great Mosque in Mecca have been released by Saudi religious police. A British Islamic group says seven Britons and one American were detained. A spokesman for Islamic group SAVEIT said the arrests were made after police became involved in a debate over religious practice.

The UK Foreign Office said it was assisting the Britons who were released on Sunday morning.
'Clothes ripped'. The people arrested were part of a group of about 30, according to Mohammed Taki, spokesman for the moderate Islamic group SAVEIT. The group - which is called Shiite Muslims Against Violence Extremism and International Terrorism - was founded by Muslims wanting to show opposition to violence. Mr Taki said Saudi police had accused the Britons and the American of being "infidels" who were outside Islam.

The debate, which had grown increasingly heated, involved about 14 people, half of whom were arrested, said Mr Taki. Mr Taki claimed that those arrested had had their clothes ripped and showed signs of being beaten.

He told BBC Radio Five Live that the group had returned to their hotel, and had been instructed not to speak until they left the country.

Source: BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6932127.stm

If the mentioned individuals were screaming "ya Ali" in Mecca, which they have a right to, regardless of what the Saudi authorities believe, then I think that it was not suprising that they were subjected to violent abuse. I mean for God sake you don't do that in an area infiltrated with 'Wahhabis' or idiot fanatics that just live to harrass pilgrims. Otherwise, and especially if they were just reciting some du'aa (supplication) then I suppose the "hay'a", as they are commonly called in "Saudi" Arabia, were just bored. Especially as they, judging by their actions, have little understanding of this complex religion and therefore could not comprehend the significance of that area. I honestly believe that Muslims groups should put pressure on Saudi authorities to abandon this despicable practice. On the second thoughts, that suggestion sounds like telling a barbar to advise his customers to grow longer hair!

Anyhow, I just want to wish the individuals an accepted umra and hope that they will carry on visiting the Holy Shrines and that one day it will be safe for all of us to visit the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq. I also pray that they were not seriously injured and that the authorities did not give them too much trouble. AMEN.