20 November: When the attackers captured the Grand Mosque of Mecca, the whole world was shocked – 20 November 1979 grand mosque siege in Mecca tedu1

On the morning of 20 November 1979, about 50,000 people from all over the world gathered for morning prayers 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 the prayers were over, they captured the holy place and took the people present there hostage.

200 people had 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 and took the mike in his hand and started reading a speech.

Started announcing with the Imam’s mike

A voice came from the mike – Fellow Muslims, we announce the arrival of Mahdi today. One who will rule with justice and fairness over an earth full of 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 all over the world. After this, the Grand Mosque was surrounded for several weeks under the leadership of anti-monarchist Islamist Juhaiman. During this time firing also took place inside the mosque. This was a big blow to the family of Saud. The biggest thing was that he felt insulted.

The biggest attack in Saudi history

This attack is considered the biggest attack in Saudi history. This attack was so big that the Saudi Army had to take the help of the armies of two countries to deal with it and it took several days to liberate the mosque from the attackers.

The attackers captured such a mosque

Armed attackers were already present in the mosque. Their weapons were kept in coffins there. The main attacker among these was Juhayman Al Otaybi, he along with some of his people moved towards the Imam and took the mike and started instructing his people to take position. After this the gunmen took the people present there hostage.

How did the weapons and attackers reach inside the mosque?

The attackers had made long preparations before this attack. The attackers came in trucks. They had already delivered a large number of weapons and food supplies to the mosque. 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 brought under this. The weapon was loaded in this.

The attackers killed the guards of the mosques

Lebanese journalist Kim Ghatas writes in his book Black Wave – Suddenly, the sound of gunshots came. A man was moving towards the Kaaba with a rifle. Even the guards had only sticks. Because there is a ban on carrying 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 premises were captured by the rebels.

The attackers shot the guards of Mecca Masjid and proceeded towards Kaaba. The people present there were scared and surprised. The guards who tried to resist were shot. The gates of the mosque were tied with chains and guarded. Snipers were protecting the seven minarets and armed men had taken complete control of the mosque.

This is how the operation to liberate the mosque from the attackers began

The task of freeing the Grand Mosque from the grip of gunmen was very difficult. Because no major military attack could be launched there. This mosque is one of the most sacred places and Kaaba is also present here. Nevertheless, the Saudi army started moving towards the mosque complex but due to the attackers being armed and being able to take limited action in the complex, the Saudi army was not successful in it.

the first attempt failed

Saudi Arabia’s first attempt to enter the mosque failed, as rebels shot several soldiers. The Saudi Arabian Army and Saudi Arabian National Guard attempted to bring down snipers on the minarets by hovering over the Grand Mosque from helicopters. But this also did not yield any result.

Mecca city was evacuated

The city of Mecca was evacuated and as the fighting intensified, the power supply to the holy mosque was cut off. Saudi forces got some time in a week and got benefit from it. Meanwhile their leader was shot. By then the rebel forces led by Juhaiman had become weak. Even after this, it took several days for the Saudi Arabian army to capture the mosque.

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The world of Islam was divided into two parts

It is no surprise that the armed siege of Masjid al-Haram became a watershed moment for the Muslim world. This turned Saudi Arabia into a staunchly Sunni state, causing a major rift with post-revolution Iran. The Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, the same year of the Mecca siege, transformed a moderate Iran into a fundamentalist Shia country. The creation of two fundamentalist power centers – Shia Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia – divided the Muslim world down the middle.

Also read: Today the ‘creator of modern Turkey’ breathed his last, read the story of Ataturk

major events

20 November 1815 – Russia, Prussia, Austria and England formed an alliance to maintain peace in Europe.

20 November 1829 – Jews were expelled from Nikolayev and Sevastopol areas of Russia.

20 November 1866 – Establishment of Howard University in Washington, America.

20 November 1917 – Republic of Ukraine was declared.

20 November 1929 – Birth of Milkha Singh – He was a famous runner of India who is known as ‘Flying Sikh’.