RIYADH: A Saudi man in a speeding car crashed into the outer gates of Makkah’s Grand Mosque late on Friday night, the country’s state-run news agency reported.

The crash happened around 10:30pm and saw the man’s car ram through a barrier and keep driving until it hit the gate on the Grand Mosque’s southern side, the Saudi Press Agency said.

Authorities arrested the man inside, who appeared in an abnormal condition, the agency said, without elaborating. Police referred the man to prosecutors for possible charges, according to the report.

Video on social media corresponded to the news agency’s account, with security forces later pushing the damaged sedan away.

Authorities had shut down the mosque amid the coronavirus pandemic, but recently reopened it to small crowds of faithful.

Footage broadcast on the state-run Quran TV satellite channel showed people inside circling the Kaaba before and after the crash.

Guards chased the driver as he crashed through two barriers before hitting one of the southern entrances of the mosque, according to officials in the holy city and videos on social media.

The authorities did not name the man but said he appeared to be in an “abnormal condition”.

He was referred to the public prosecutor to face possible charges, they added.

Earlier in October, Saudi Arabia opened the Grand Mosque for prayers for the first time in seven months, and expanded the Umrah pilgrimage to accommodate 15,000 worshippers from within the kingdom as it relaxed coronavirus curbs.

Umrah — a Muslim pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time — had been suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The limit on Umrah will be raised to 20,000 from Sunday, when authorities will allow pilgrims from abroad.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2020