Siege of Makkah: A 1979 Turning Point that Reshaped Saudi Arabia and Global Islam

The year 1979 marked a watershed moment in the history of Saudi Arabia and the broader Muslim world, with the Siege of Makkah (Mecca) reverberating through the decades. This unprecedented event began on November 20, when armed insurgents led by preacher Juhayman Al-Otaybi seized control of the Grand Mosque, causing shockwaves that were felt far beyond the borders of the Kingdom. Amidst a backdrop of regional turmoil, with the Iranian Revolution heightening fears of instability in the Middle East, the peaceful dawn prayers of nearly 50,000 pilgrims turned into a scene of chaos and violence. Al-Otaybi, disillusioned with the Saudi royal family and their ties to the West, believed that the monarchy had strayed from true Islamic values. His radicalization culminated in an audacious takeover that sought to declare his brother-in-law, Mohammed Abdullah al-Qahtani, as the Mahdi – the awaited redeemer in Islamic eschatology. The audacity of the insurgents was matched by their meticulous planning. As they fortified their positions within the Grand Mosque, they made their intentions clear: they demanded the severing of ties with the West, the expulsion of foreigners, and the removal of the Saudi ruling family. The rebellion challenged not only the authority of the Saudi state but also posed a direct threat to the very heart of Islam. Initially, the response from the Saudi government was sluggish, hampered by the absence of key leaders who were away at a summit. The local police, underestimating the gravity of the situation, were met with gunfire as they approached the mosque. Once the magnitude of the crisis became clear, the National Guard and military forces were mobilized, leading to intense and brutal clashes that transformed the Grand Mosque into a deadly battlefield. The combat lasted for weeks, with insurgents effectively leveraging the mosque’s complex architecture to thwart Saudi forces. Countermeasures escalated, including a fatwa permitting the use of any means necessary to reclaim control of the mosque. The siege reached a turning point when the Saudi government, recognizing the need for external assistance, sought help from France. Under the leadership of President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, a team from the French counter-terror unit GIGN was discreetly dispatched to offer strategic support. Their innovative plan to flush out the insurgents involved pumping gas into the mosque's basements, forcing the rebels from their hideouts. The mission, although shrouded in secrecy to avoid backlash from the Muslim world, ultimately succeeded. The siege ended on December 4 after two weeks of devastating conflict, leaving behind a grim toll of 153 dead and hundreds injured. The aftermath of the siege was profound. Juhayman and many of his followers were captured, and in a swift response, 63 insurgents were executed in public displays of justice. The incident not only reshaped the Saudi political landscape but also sent ripples through the global Muslim community, influencing radical thought and opposition to the Saudi royal family. Among those affected by the events of 1979 was Osama bin Laden, whose disdain for the ruling monarchy grew after witnessing the siege. He criticized the Saudi leadership for their handling of the crisis, accusing them of desecrating the holiest site in Islam. The siege and its violent resolution galvanized extremist ideologies, setting the stage for future conflicts and radical movements in the region. The legacy of the Grand Mosque siege also left a mark on Saudi society itself. The demands of the insurgents echoed in the country's cultural landscape, leading to significant shifts in public life, including the removal of female television presenters, reflecting the tightening grip of conservative ideologies. As the world continues to grapple with the legacies of extremism and the complexities of religious and political power, the events of 1979 remain a stark reminder of how a single act of violence can inspire movements and ideologies that shape the narrative of nations for generations to come.