November 20, 1979—a day etched in the collective memory of the Muslim world—marked the beginning of a two-week-long siege of Islam’s holiest site, the Grand Mosque in Mecca, that shocked millions and claimed hundreds of lives.
At dawn, as nearly 50,000 worshippers gathered to perform Fajr prayers around the Kaaba, a group of 200 armed men led by Juhayman al-Otaibi interrupted the prayer, taking control of the mosque. This event was orchestrated to declare Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Qahtani as the long-awaited Mahdi, a messianic figure prophesied to bring justice before the Day of Judgment.
The Plot and Initial Takeover
Juhayman and his followers smuggled weapons hidden in coffins, claiming they were for funeral rites. As soon as the Fajr prayer concluded, they seized control of the mosque’s loudspeakers, closed its gates, and positioned snipers on minarets. Khalid al-Yami, a loyalist, announced Al-Qahtani’s claim as Mahdi, citing fulfilled signs from Islamic traditions. Eyewitnesses described panic and confusion among the pilgrims, especially non-Arabic speakers, as the sounds of gunfire echoed through the mosque.
Juhayman al-Otaibi: The Leader
A former member of the Saudi National Guard, Juhayman hailed from a Bedouin region and was known for his anti-modernist Salafi ideology. His charismatic yet controversial leadership attracted many followers, mostly disillusioned with the Saudi monarchy’s modernization efforts. He condemned the royal family for corruption and criticized religious scholars for their complicity. His military training enabled meticulous planning for the siege, but his ideological rigidity ultimately led to catastrophic violence.
The Siege and Saudi Response
Saudi authorities underestimated the severity of the crisis. Initial police deployments were met with heavy gunfire, forcing the government to mobilize the National Guard. Eyewitness Abdul Moneim Sultan recalled artillery fire targeting snipers, helicopters circling, and the mosque transforming into a battlefield. Special forces faced fierce resistance, as the rebels were heavily armed with Belgian rifles and entrenched within the mosque’s labyrinthine structure.
Crown Prince Fahd, attending a summit abroad, and Prince Abdullah, responsible for the National Guard, left King Khalid and Defense Minister Prince Sultan to handle the crisis. A fatwa permitting the use of force within the mosque was issued, allowing deployment of anti-tank missiles and heavy artillery.
The Turning Point: French Intervention
Saudi forces struggled to subdue the entrenched rebels, many of whom took refuge in underground chambers. The Saudi government sought international help, discreetly contacting France’s counter-terrorism unit. French advisers, led by Captain Paul Barril, devised a plan to flush out the insurgents using gas pumped into tunnels. This tactic marked a significant shift in the operation.
The Endgame
After two weeks, Saudi forces regained full control. Al-Qahtani, whose followers believed he was immune to bullets, was killed. Many rebels, including Juhayman, were captured. Survivors described the final hours as horror-filled, with smoke and gas filling the basements. The official death toll remains disputed, with estimates ranging from hundreds to over 1,000.
Aftermath and Legacy
Juhayman and his key followers were executed publicly. The siege had far-reaching effects on Saudi society and governance. The monarchy doubled down on conservative Islamic policies, empowering religious clerics to curb social reforms. The event also exposed the growing threat of radicalism within the region, influencing future policies on religious extremism and security.
The 1979 siege remains a grim reminder of how ideological zeal, radical interpretations of religion, and political discontent can converge into violence, even in the most sacred spaces.
