MAKKAH: Security patrols swooped down on the Muzdalifah area of Makkah where a group of youths were performing stunts on their motorcycles and confiscated 21 vehicles.

The security personnel swung into action soon after receiving information that around 100 people had gathered in the sacred area on Friday afternoon, local media reported on Sunday.

Messages were also being circulated on the WhatsApp group about an “unknown event” taking place in Muzdalifah, a source at the security forces was quoted as saying.

The security personnel broke up the gathering after convincing the men that Muzdalifah is not a place for fun and entrainment and that such acts are against the Islamic Shariah, the source said.

The source said that the security forces have taken the matter very seriously. “Ten patrols were sent to the area.”

Legal consultant Awad Al-Harthi condemned the youths for doing wrong things at holy sites, where people gather for spiritual and religious reasons.

“Many people don’t realize the importance of such places. They look at them as areas for drug addiction, quarrels and unlawful acts. It’s everyone’s duty to report such acts as whoever supports performers of stunts or drifters is considered a participant in the crime,” he added.

A local newspaper asked the people of Makkah about this phenomenon and the unanimous view was against this act. The citizens said that it’s against the holiness of Makkah and the holy sites lime Mina and Muzdalifah, in addition to it being a breach of law.

Said Al-Ghamdi said that the holiest place on earth should not be the location for such acts, while Ahmed Al-Shimri said that these acts are highly condemnable.