Saudi Arabia: Injured officer who foiled suicide attempt at Islam’s holiest site identified, now recovering

The identity of the security officer injured while intervening in a suicide attempt at the Grand Mosque in Makkah has now been revealed, as Saudi authorities confirmed he is recovering after being hurt while trying to save the man involved in the incident.

As previously reported, earlier, a man reportedly attempted to take his own life by jumping from the upper floors of Masjid al-Haram, prompting an immediate response from the Special Force for the Security of the Grand Mosque quickly. During the intervention, a security officer was injured while attempting to break the man’s fall. Both individuals were transferred to hospital subsequently, and standard official procedures were completed, authorities said.



According to Khaleej Times, the officer has been identified as Rayan bin Saeed Al-Asiri. A photograph showing Al-Asiri recovering in a hospital bed was shared by the account Inside the Haramain on X, accompanied by the caption: “May Allah accept his efforts and grant him a quick recovery.”



Also read: Man jumps off Grand Mosque in Makkah in apparent suicide attempt

During his hospital stay, Al-Asiri received a phone call from Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior, who personally checked on his condition and praised his actions warmly. The minister said what the officer did was “a humane and noble stance that represents the highest meanings of sacrifice and selflessness, not just a performance of a professional duty alone.”

Prince Abdulaziz added that the officer’s actions embodied “the noble values upheld by all security personnel in serving religion and the nation,” and reflected “the high level of readiness and professional competence in dealing with various emergency situations inside the Grand Mosque.” He concluded the call by wishing Al-Asiri a speedy recovery and praying that he would “return safely to the field of honour to continue serving the visitors to the Grand Mosque.”

Saudi authorities have not released further details about the man involved in the incident, while reiterating that the Grand Mosque remains under constant security monitoring, with specialised teams trained to respond swiftly to emergencies at Islam’s holiest site.