Yemeni man who did 'Umrah' for Queen Elizabeth II arrested in Makkah
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Makkah: A Yemeni national who carried out Umrah, a lesser pilgrimage at the Holy Mosque in Makkah, on behalf of late Queen Elizabeth II, has been arrested by Saudi authorities.
The authority in a statement said that a Yemeni man was arrested for carrying a banner inside the Grand Mosque, violating the regulations and instructions for umrah on Monday.
The arrest followed after many Twitter users demanded his arrest in response to a video clip posted by the man himself on social media in which he can be seen flaunting a banner, which read "Umrah for the soul of Queen Elizabeth II, we ask God to accept her in heaven and among the righteous."
As per Saudi rule, it is forbidden to carry banners or chant slogans by pilgrims inside the Grand Mosque, and the man is also accused of violating the Umrah instructions by performing the ritual on behalf of a non-Muslim like the Queen, although it is acceptable on behalf on deceased Muslim relatives.
The Queen was supreme governor of the Church of England, and of the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
"He was arrested, legal measures were taken against him and he was referred to the public prosecution."