The Kaaba, Masjid al-Haram, Maqam Ibrahim, and Safa and Marwa are sacred places where the voices of Labbaik, Allahu Akbar, and SubhanAllah can be heard at every moment. For Muslims, these are not merely historical sites but an integral part of their faith and devotion. I have come to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah with my brother Ikhtiar Baig and family, and I am writing this column from Makkah. From the window of my hotel room, I have a breathtaking view of the Holy Kaaba right before my eyes, where people are passionately engaged in performing Tawaf. Yesterday, when Saudi authorities issued a security alert about a drone approaching Makkah, we were performing Tawaf at the time. When news spread that a drone had entered the restricted airspace of Makkah, this news had not slightest effect on the millions of people performing Tawaf. Those who sent the drone may have been under the impression that they would succeed in spreading fear and panic among the millions of pilgrims in Masjid al-Haram, and that the visitors would flee the House of Allah out of fear. However, I felt immense happiness and pride to see that there was not the slightest sign of panic on the faces of those performing Tawaf around the Kaaba. Rather, the pilgrims continued their Tawaf with devotion, and the atmosphere of Masjid al-Haram continued to echo with the voices of Labbaik and SubhanAllah.
Later, Saudi authorities announced that the drone had been destroyed before it could enter the restricted airspace of Makkah. There is no doubt that Saudi Arabia is currently facing one of the most serious challenges to its national security. One of the greatest setbacks for Saudi Arabia has come from the conduct of its ally, United States, which assured the Houthi group that it would remain stay away from the Saudi-Houthi conflict. In this way, the United States reached an understanding with the Houthis and paved the way for its own shipping routes in the Red Sea. Following the American assurance, the Houthis intensified their drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia. Even before the recent drone incident, Houthi attacks had reportedly damaged Saudi oil facilities. The country’s eastern and western oil pipelines were shut down, oil shipments from Yanbu were suspended, and consequently, most shipments bound for Europe were cancelled. Shipping in the Red Sea has remained under continuous attack, while an attack on Khalid Air Base reportedly caused damage to infrastructure. The Houthis have also claimed to have shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet, although no confirmation of this claim has emerged so far.
The recent drone incident involving Makkah is also being viewed as a test of the Makkah defence agreement between Pakistan, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia. The threat is no longer confined to Saudi Arabia’s borders; it has now reached the sacred city of Makkah. In such circumstances, the Pakistan Army adopted an unusually firm position, making it clear that Pakistan stands with Saudi Arabia and that the Pakistan Army is present to protect the two Holy Mosques. It also expressed the resolve that Pakistan can go to any extent to safeguard the sacred sites. This response is not merely diplomatic language; it reflects the sentiments of the people of Pakistan.
The recent incident has nevertheless raised a fundamental question: the city that Muslims regard as a symbol of peace, worship, and divine mercy should never be exposed even to the shadow of weapons of war. Makkah is the city where millions of Muslims come before their Lord with nothing but empty hands. Here, no one takes pride in worldly power. Kings raise their hands in prayer just as ordinary people do. Rich and poor, Black and white, Arab and non-Arab all stand and prostrate themselves before their Lord as equals. Therefore, any threat towards this sacred city is not merely a matter of one country’s security. It is connected to the emotions, faith, and spiritual attachment of Muslims around the world. No one should be permitted to endanger sacred places or the safety of people engaged in worship as part of any military conflict. This principle applies not only to Muslims; it is also recognized internationally with regard to the sacred places of every religion. For Muslims in Pakistan and around the world, Makkah and Madinah represent a red line that no one should be allowed to cross. And if an enemy ever dares to cross that red line, then millions of Muslims in Pakistan and around the world will set out to protect these sacred places, wearing shrouds instead of ihram. This is part of our faith.
