Riyadh Mosque Attack: Imam Targeted in Shocking Incident Near Holy Cities

A disturbing incident in Riyadh, just hours from the revered holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, has sent ripples of concern across the Kingdom after an elderly imam was reportedly targeted in an attempted stabbing outside a mosque. The swift intervention of bystanders and prompt action by Saudi authorities led to the arrest of the assailant, whose motive remains under investigation.

The harrowing scene, captured in a widely circulated video across social media platforms, shows the venerable imam, distinguished by his white beard, exiting a mosque in the Manfouha neighborhood. As he steps out, a man abruptly confronts him, brandishing what appeared to be a knife. With remarkable presence of mind, the imam managed to push the attacker back, while several individuals nearby immediately rushed to his aid, preventing a potentially tragic outcome.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior moved quickly to address the incident, confirming the arrest of the suspect in a statement. Images of the assailant, including one from behind in custody, were subsequently published on the ministry’s official Snapchat account, reinforcing the authorities' rapid response.

"Riyadh Police have arrested a person who appeared in a video attempting to assault another individual in front of a mosque," the ministry affirmed. "He has been taken into custody, and legal procedures are underway. He has been referred to the Public Prosecution." While social media has been rife with speculation that the attacker intended to stab the imam, official details regarding the assailant's motive have not yet been disclosed by authorities.

In a separate but related development, the Ministry of Interior also announced its intent to apprehend the individual responsible for recording and disseminating the video footage. The ministry cited violations of the Kingdom’s strict Anti-Cybercrime Law, which expressly prohibits the unauthorized sharing of videos depicting criminal acts. This emphasizes the Kingdom's stance on controlling the spread of such content, even as it addresses the core criminal act.

As of now, no further information has been released concerning the imam’s condition following the ordeal or the specific charges that will be levied against the apprehended attacker. The incident underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to maintaining security, particularly in areas close to its spiritual heartlands of Makkah and Madinah, while also highlighting the challenges posed by the rapid spread of digital content.