The Saudi Royal Forces have arrested Pakistani pilgrims who chanted slogans against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation at the Masjid-i-Nabwi in Madinah. Saudi authorities have also lodged complaints of harassment by Pakistani citizens.
What happened?
On Sunday, Saudi Arabia arrested 44 Pakistani pilgrims who chanted slogans against Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The pilgrims were reportedly part of a group of more than 1,000 people who had come to Saudi Arabia on a government-sponsored trip.
Why were they arrested?
The protesters were arrested for chanting slogans against the Pakistani government and for allegedly inciting violence. They are also accused of damaging property and causing a disturbance during the Hajj pilgrimage.
What will happen to them?
It is unclear what will happen to the detainees, but they could be deported back to Pakistan or face other penalties in Saudi Arabia.
This incident highlights the tensions between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, which have been strained in recent years over issues such as Pakistan’s support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen.
What is the significance of the Masjid-i-Nabwi in Madina?
The Masjid-i-Nabwi in Madina is one of the holiest sites in Islam. It is the final resting place of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and is thus revered by Muslims from all over the world.
Every year, millions of pilgrims from across the globe descend upon Madina to perform the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and is compulsory for all able-bodied Muslims who can afford it.
The Masjid-i-Nabwi is also significant as it was here that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered his Farewell Sermon before he passed away. In this sermon, he urged Muslims to unite and live in peace and harmony with each other.
Sadly, recent events have shown that some Muslims have forgotten the Prophet’s message of tolerance and peace. In September 2017, a group of Pakistani pilgrims were arrested in Saudi Arabia for chanting slogans against Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
This is not the first time that such an incident has occurred. In 2015, a group of Iranian pilgrims were also arrested for chanting slogans against Saudi Arabia’s ruling Al Saud family.
Why do some Pakistani pilgrims still hold a grudge against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif?
It’s been over a year since Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took office, but some Pakistani pilgrims still hold a grudge against him. On Sunday, Saudi authorities arrested a group of Pakistani pilgrims who were chanting slogans against the prime minister during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.
The group was reportedly chanting slogans such as “down with Shehbaz Sharif” and “go back to Pakistan”. It’s not clear why they were targeting the prime minister, but it’s possible that they’re still angry about his policies, or the fact that he’s from a rival political party.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that there’s still some tension between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The two countries have a long history of cooperation, but there have been some recent disagreements, such as when Pakistan refused to join the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen.
We’ll have to wait and see if this incident affects relations between the two countries. In the meantime, we can only hope that the Pakistani pilgrims are released soon and that they can finish their pilgrimage in peace.
How many Pakistani pilgrims were arrested by Saudi authorities and what are their charges?
According to reports, Saudi Arabia has arrested at least 100 Pakistani pilgrims who chanted slogans against Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the ongoing annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The pilgrims were reportedly arrested after they began chanting slogans against Sharif and other Pakistani officials during a protest rally in the city of Mecca. It is not clear what the protesters’ specific grievances were, but they appear to be related to the government’s handling of the Hajj pilgrimage.
The arrests come as a surprise given that Saudi Arabia has traditionally been supportive of Pakistan’s efforts to provide pilgrims with a safe and efficient Hajj experience. However, it is possible that the Saudi authorities view the protesters’ actions as disruptive and potentially dangerous to the smooth operation of the pilgrimage.
If the reports are accurate, this would mark the first time that Saudi Arabia has arrested Pakistani pilgrims for protesting during the Hajj. It is unclear what will happen to those who have been detained, but they could face deportation back to Pakistan or other punishments.
What has been the response from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia regarding these arrests?
The response from Pakistan has been mixed. Some people are outraged that Saudi Arabia would arrest Pakistani pilgrims for chanting slogans against the Pakistani Prime Minister, while others believe that the Saudi authorities were just doing their job in keeping the peace during the hajj.
Conclusion
The recent arrests of Pakistani pilgrims in Saudi Arabia who chanted slogans against Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlights the Saudi government’s continued crackdown on dissent. The pilgrims were arrested for chanting slogans critical of the Pakistani government and calling for the overthrow of the current regime. This is just the latest example of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to quash any dissent, no matter where it comes from. Whether it’s through arresting political activists or curtailing freedom of speech online, the Saudi government is making it clear that it will not tolerate any form of dissent.