Summery
- A woman from a Turkish Hajj group was detained after attempting to cut a piece of the Kaaba’s Kiswah with scissors.
- Those around her warned her it was forbidden before security forces intervened and detained her.
- The Islamic Information’s correspondent Otaibi confirmed she was Turkish, dismissing social media claims that she was Egyptian.
Security forces at Masjid al-Haram detained a Turkish woman from a Turkish Hajj group after she was caught attempting to cut a piece of the Kaaba’s covering — known as the Kiswah — with scissors, apparently intending to keep it as a souvenir.
Worshippers standing nearby warned her before security intervened, with those around her heard saying “Haji, it’s forbidden” as she made the attempt. Security forces were seen detaining the woman by her headscarf at the scene.
Nationality Confirmed as Turkish
Claims circulating on social media suggested the woman was Egyptian. The Islamic Information’s correspondent Otaibi, who was present, confirmed that the woman was Turkish and was travelling as part of a Turkish Hajj group. The Egyptian claim is false.
Status Unknown
It has not yet been confirmed whether the woman has been released following her detention. The case remains open and no official statement has been issued at the time of writing.
The Kiswah — the black cloth embroidered with Quranic verses in gold that covers the Kaaba — is one of the most sacred objects in Islam. Tampering with or removing any part of it is strictly prohibited and considered a serious violation under Saudi law.


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