Pakistani pilgrim exposes aggressive behavior by Madina security officers

A visitor performing Umrah in Madina recently shared a troubling encounter with security personnel that has sparked discussion online about the treatment of pilgrims. In a post on a voice-of-customer platform, the pilgrim described accidentally entering a closed line during Ziyarat. Instead of being guided politely, he said a guard grabbed his collar and pushed him back.

“This kind of behavior is completely unacceptable,” he wrote, emphasizing that while rules must be followed, there is no justification for harsh or aggressive treatment. He also noted witnessing a similar incident on Eid, when a man was reportedly slapped and dragged simply for trying to find space in a crowded area.

The pilgrim urged authorities to ensure that security personnel deal with visitors with patience, respect, and professionalism, adding, “People come here from all over the world with respect and deep emotions. They deserve to be treated with dignity. May Allah accept everyone’s عبادات and make these sacred visits peaceful for all.”

The post quickly attracted reactions from other users sharing their own perspectives. One commenter said, “They’ve always been like this, but people here will tell you that you’re wrong just because they think being guards of the holy mosques makes them superior. Once some see their behavior with Western Muslims compared to Muslims of the subcontinent, their little Islamic brotherhood bubble will burst.”

Another highlighted the difficulty of the role, saying, “Just imagine yourself in their situation. They’re not dealing with 500 or 1,000 people. They’re dealing with millions every day, and most Pakistanis usually violate rules trying to sneak through. I always respect guards for doing the best job they can.”

Others pointed to bias concerns. “It’s all about skin color, buddy. You’ll never see them behave like that with a non-brown country passport holder,” one user remarked.

A female pilgrim added that the issue is not limited to male guards: “I did Umrah three years ago. It’s not just the male guards—it’s the female guards too. They have no patience and can spoil your pilgrimage in a minute, despite the thousands we spend coming here with sincere neeyat.”

The post has sparked a broader debate about the balance between security enforcement and treating pilgrims with respect, particularly for those from South Asian countries visiting the holy sites.

This is not an isolated issue. In November 2025, a video clip from the Grand Mosque in Makkah sparked outrage after a security officer was seen confronting pilgrims near the Kaaba. In the 59-second clip, the officer pulled a woman sitting on the floor and appeared to push a male pilgrim dressed in ihram who tried to intervene. While the cause of the confrontation was not clear, the incident prompted criticism online, with the video caption questioning, “Is this behaviour acceptable from the guards of Haram?”

In response, the Makkah Region confirmed on X that the Special Forces for Hajj and Umrah Security had taken action. “The Special Forces for Hajj and Umrah Security have commenced — in a timely manner — the apprehension of a person who appeared in visual content violating the instructions and regulations followed in the Grand Mosque,” the statement read. Authorities added that the individual shown in the viral footage had violated regulations and legal measures were being taken in accordance with Saudi law.

Together, these incidents have sparked wider debate about balancing strict enforcement of rules with respect and patience for pilgrims, particularly those from South Asia and other countries where visitors may face cultural and language barriers.