In his first reaction to what has been reported by a UK-based daily, Ali bin Abdulaziz Al-Shibl, a member of the board of faculty at the Imam Mohammed bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, denied claims published in the Independent that he called for excavating and transporting the grave of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from the Prophet's Mosque.

His statement came in response to rumors that appeared in the Western media about a Saudi plan to move the tomb of the Prophet (pbuh), triggering a huge controversy among the Arab and Muslims communities.

Two British dailies, the Independent and the Daily Mail, carried recently a report that the Kingdom planned to move the tomb from its present location to another location, based on a study by Al-Shibi, allegedly suggesting the relocation of the Prophet's tomb.

In response to questions that his study calls for moving the grave of the Prophet (pbuh) from its current location to the Al-Baqea Cemetery, he said: “God forbid, and I seek refuge from the wrath of God about what the Independent newspaper claims I said, which is that the grave of the Prophet should be moved or demolished. This is something I have never said and neither I nor anyone else has the right to say this, and it is false and fabricated.”

He said the Prophet (pbuh) was buried where he died, and is the case with all the prophets. The companions of the prophet, disagreed about where he should be buried after he died, as some suggested that he be moved to Al-Baqea, while others said he should be buried alone.

“Abu Bakr (may God bless him) said he heard the Prophet (pbuh) saying prophets should be buried where they die, and so they lifted him from his bed and buried him in Aisha’s room where he died.”

Al-Shibi added: “This is a matter that cannot be changed, as this is our religion and our Prophet (pbuh), and those who claim I said this are lying and fabricating the truth in order to create false matters with which to distract people as they carry out their plans.”

“We are pleased in the Kingdom with the role of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to protect the Two Holy Mosques, and all our enemies are trying to interfere in order to stir up chaos among our people,” he said.

Earlier, the Kingdom rejected the study, saying it is an independent research and does not represent the government’s opinion or position.

The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs also issued a statement denying association with claims of the research, saying that the personal research does not represent the opinion of the Presidency or the government, both of which aim to serve and protect the Two Holy Mosques.