Saudi Arabia bans photos, videos of Mecca, Medina mosques

The Saudi government has banned pilgrims from taking photos and videos at Islam’s two holiest sites. According to the Saudi General Directorate of Press and Information, the decision to prohibit photos and videos in Makkah’s Masjid al Haram known as the Great Mosque of Makkah and Madina’s Masjid-e-Nabawi or The Prophet’s Mosque was taken by the Saudi Foreign Ministry on Nov 12, 2017.

The Saudi authorities cited disturbance of worshippers at the mosques as reason for the imposition of the ban. In the event of a violation of the ban imposed to ensure the carrying out of worship in a healthier way, tools used to take photos and videos will be confiscated and legal action will be taken, the statement said.

According to foreign media reports, the Saudi foreign ministry and has informed the foreign embassies about its decision. Last week a picture of an Israeli man in The Prophet’s Mosque caused an uproar on Arab and Muslim social media groups and platforms.