A Turkish woman who travelled to Saudi Arabia for Umrah was denied entry to the Grand Mosque in Makkah after authorities objected to her wearing a headband symbolising Palestine — an incident that has sparked widespread attention online.
A video recently circulating on social media shows the woman sitting in front of the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, recounting her experience. She claimed that a female officer at the entrance asked her to remove her headband. When she refused, the officer called the police and a translator was brought in. Despite her explanations, she was not permitted to enter.
“They checked my ID and visa. I asked why we couldn’t wear this. They told me this is a place of worship and that no politics is allowed here,” she said.
She was then warned that if she wore the headband again, her visa could be cancelled, and she would be expelled from the country.