On the morning of November 20, 1979, some 50,000 people from around the world gathered for morning prayer in the huge courtyard of the holy Kaaba in Mecca. Among these people, there were 200 people who had hidden weapons and as soon as they finished the prayers, they captured the holy place and took the people present there hostage.
200 people arrived here under the leadership of a 40-year-old preacher named Juhayman al-Utaibi. As soon as the Imam finished leading the prayers, Juhaiman and his followers pushed him aside, took the microphone in their hand and began reading a speech.
He began to announce with the Imam’s microphone.
A voice came from the microphone: Fellow Muslims, today we announce the arrival of Mahdi. One who will rule with justice and equity over a land filled with injustice and oppression. Mecca, Medina and Jeddah are now in our hands. This announcement was made by an associate of Juhayman al-Utaibi with the capture of the holy site.
There was a conflict with the attackers for several weeks.
This incident shook the world of Islam around the world. Following this, the Grand Mosque was surrounded for several weeks under the leadership of the anti-monarchist Islamist Juhaiman. During this time shots were also fired inside the mosque. This was a big blow to Saud’s family. The most important thing was that he felt humiliated.
The largest attack in the history of Saudi Arabia
This attack is considered the largest attack in the history of Saudi Arabia. This attack was so large that the Saudi army had to enlist the help of the armies of two countries to deal with it and it took several days to free the mosque from the attackers.
The attackers captured one such mosque.
There were already armed attackers in the mosque. There their weapons were kept in coffins. The main attacker among them was Juhayman Al Otaybi, he along with some of his people headed towards the Imam, took the microphone and began instructing his people to take position. After this, the gunmen took the people present hostage.
How did the weapons and attackers get inside the mosque?
The attackers had made extensive preparations before this attack. The attackers arrived in trucks. They had already delivered a large amount of weapons and food to the mosque. The weapons were sent to the mosque kept inside coffins. The weapons were placed in a closed coffin in the middle of the mosque courtyard, a traditional act of seeking blessings for the recently deceased. The coffins were placed underneath. The gun was loaded in this.
The attackers killed the mosque guards.
Lebanese journalist Kim Ghatas writes in his book Black Wave: Suddenly the sound of gunshots was heard. A man was heading towards the Kaaba with a rifle. Even the guards only had sticks. Because it is prohibited to carry weapons in a holy place and violence was prohibited. After this the leader of the group appeared, carrying a rifle, pistol and dagger.
The entire mosque and its facilities were captured by the rebels.
The attackers fired at the guards of the Mecca Masjid and headed towards the Kaaba. The people present were scared and surprised. The guards who tried to resist were shot. The doors of the mosque were tied with chains and guarded. Snipers were protecting the seven minarets and gunmen had taken full control of the mosque.
This is how the operation to free the mosque from the attackers began
The task of freeing the Grand Mosque from the clutches of the gunmen was very difficult. Because no major military attack could be launched there. This mosque is one of the holiest places and the Kaaba is also present here. However, the Saudi army began to advance towards the mosque complex, but because the attackers were armed and could take limited actions in the complex, the Saudi army was unsuccessful.
the first attempt failed
Saudi Arabia’s first attempt to enter the mosque failed, as rebels shot several soldiers. The Saudi Army and the Saudi National Guard attempted to shoot down snipers on the minarets by flying over the Grand Mosque from helicopters. But this also did not give any results.
The city of Mecca was evacuated
The city of Mecca was evacuated and as fighting intensified, power to the holy mosque was cut. The Saudi forces bought some time in a week and benefited from it. Meanwhile, their leader was shot. By then the rebel forces led by Juhaiman had been weakened. Even after this, it took several days for the Saudi army to capture the mosque.
Read also: When the last battle of the First World War was fought, this is how the Great War ended
The world of Islam was divided into two parts.
It is no surprise that the armed siege of Masjid al-Haram became a defining moment for the Muslim world. This turned Saudi Arabia into an unconditionally Sunni state, causing a major break with post-revolutionary Iran. The Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, the same year as the siege of Mecca, transformed a moderate Iran into a fundamentalist Shiite country. The creation of two fundamentalist power centers – Shiite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia – divided the Muslim world in half.
Also read: Today the ‘creator of modern Turkey’ breathed his last, read the story of Ataturk
important events
November 20, 1815: Russia, Prussia, Austria, and England formed an alliance to maintain peace in Europe.
November 20, 1829: Jews were expelled from the Nikolayev and Sevastopol areas of Russia.
November 20, 1866: Establishment of Howard University in Washington, United States.
November 20, 1917: The Ukrainian Republic is declared.
November 20, 1929 – Birth of Milkha Singh – He was a famous runner from India known as “Flying Sikh”.
