Two Indian nationals detained in Saudi Arabia for taking pictures with national flag

Two Indian nationals from Vadodara (Gujarat) were on Friday detained by the Saudi Arabia police for taking pictures with the Indian flag inside the Haram in Mecca.

Imitiaz Ali Saiyed and his 12-year-old son Uzair Ali were arrested after they were caught posing and taking pictures along with the tri-colour flag inside the Haram in Mecca. Uzair was immediately released but his father Imitiaz remained under police custody and was only released on Saturday after intervention from the Indian Consulate General in the city.

According to a report in The Indian Express, Imitiaz, 45, works as a manager in an opticals at the Old Para Road and is a resident of Tandalja in Vadodara. He had reportedly travelled abroad to visit Mecca along with his wife and two children on Monday.

But was detained by the Saudi Arabia police for taking pictures of his son along with the Indian tri-colour.

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The report from the national daily further states that Zuber Goplani, a National Executive Council member of the All India Muslim Majlis-e- Mushawrat, Gujarat, had in a series of tweets to the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office, Prime Minister’s office and the Consulate General for India in Jeddah, informed them of the situation and had sought their intervention and help in the matter.

“My cousin who lives in Saudi informed us about the detention. We were informed that today in the evening the police will make a final decision regarding the case. We are yet to hear from them. They had taken the flag along with them but did not know that posing with it and taking pictures was an offence,” Imitiaz’s brother Faiyaz Ali was quoted as saying by the daily.

Yes, We r aware of d incident. The incident has happened inside d Haram in Makkah. Pl note that it is banned 2 display Flags in Haram area. Our official has already met Mr.Imtiaz Ali n son Mr Uzair Ali at Haram Police Station.After our intervention, Uzair Ali has been released./1

— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) November 17, 2018

Meanwhile, the Consulate General in Jeddah later tweeted that “Please note it is banned to display flags in Haram area. Our official has already met Mr. Imitiaz Ali and son Mr. Uzair Ali at Haram Police station. After our intervention, Uzair Ali has been released. We are following the case and all help being extended for early release of Mr. Imitiaz as well.”