Saudi authorities release Iranian cleric arrested for bad mouthing Kingdom, Sunnah
Iranian cleric Ghasemian was arrested in Mecca for insulting Saudi Arabia but was quickly released and returned to Iran before completing Hajj. Both countries downplayed the incident.
Hojjatoleslam Gholamreza Ghasemian, a cleric and TV presenter affiliated with the Iranian regime and close to Khamenei's household, was recently released after being arrested inMecca for filming a video that insulted the Saudi government and Sunni beliefs, while on Saudi soil.
Ghasemian uploaded the video earlier this week, as he was on pilgrimage in Mecca. He addressed his viewers with a Quranic verse about divine punishment for wrongdoers before launching a sharp critique of conditions in Saudi Arabia's holy cities.
He sarcastically suggested that viewers could "just travel to Makkah and Madinah" instead of going to Antalya, Turkey, claiming that the Saudis, whom he referred to as "merchants and usurpers' of Mecca, have established "gambling houses, prostitution centers, and raunchy concerts" in the holy cities.
He then proceeded to compare these alleged conditions to "the Umayyad workhouses," a historical reference to the dynasty of rulers of the 7th-8th centuries Islamic empire, traditionally viewed in Islamic historiography as having strayed from Islam.
The Iranian cleric emphasized in his video that "what is happening here… represents not just atheism, but the essence of atheism." Ghasemian urged his followers: 'Don't be fooled by diplomatic visits,' referring to Saudi-Iranian relations. He highlighted what he deemed were severe restrictions on pilgrims, suggesting that these conditions signal divine intervention is imminent. Finally, Ghssemian concluded with a prayer that the Shiite "Owners of the House (of Allah) would 'retake' Mecca out of the hands of the 'merchants and usurpers of the Qibla."
Strikingly, Iranian state media reported the arrest as a result of 'comments Ghasemian made regarding the situation in Mecca and Madina', without disclosing any further information regarding the defamatory content of the cleric's address, and without posting the video he made.
Despite Ghasemian's defamatory comments and the backlash they drew on social media, the countries decided to sustain a de-escalated diplomatic atmosphere.
During Ghasemian's arrest, Alireza Enayati, the Islamic Republic's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, lauded Saudi Arabian authorities for 'making every effort to serve Iranian pilgrims.' He added, without referring directly to the arrest, that 'Iranian pilgrims respect the sanctity of these places and adhere to the prevailing laws, and no one accepts obscene and offensive words."
From their part, Saudi state-controlled media outlets maintained a resounding silence, avoiding reports regarding the affair. Ghasemian's quick release may also signify a will to remain on good terms with Iran, despite the perceived grave offense of badmouthing the kingdom.
Ghasemian returned to Iran on Thursday, and local social media accounts showed crowds celebrating his arrival at the airport. However, online users noted that his return from Saudi Arabia at this time means that he was prevented from completing the Hajj, as the rituals are still ongoing.
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