Many users on social networking websites circulated a photo and video showing traces of blood on the tiles of the circumambulation (tawaf) area next to the Black Stone at the Kaaba in Mecca.
Some comments alleged that the video showed blood that flowed from the ground in the Haram on the anniversary of the birth of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib, while others said that blood came out on the anniversary of the killing of his son Hussein.
This clip has also previously appeared with the claim that it showed the remains of a man who wanted to carry out a suicide bombing in the Masjid al-Haram (Great Mosque of Mecca).
What is the truth?
All of the above allegations about this video are not true: according to Saudi authorities, the video showed the blood of a person who was injured in a stampede during the Hajj in 2017, according to Agence France-Presse.
In the clip a man can be heard speaking in Urdu.
According to the translation provided by journalists to Agence France-Presse in Islamabad, the man does not mention miraculous blood, but rather talks about an accident that occurred while some were trying to reach the Black Stone in the crowd.
The man could be heard saying in Urdu: “As you can see, in these moments, while kissing the Black Stone (unintelligible words) a big accident happened…No one should try to kiss the Black Stone in crowds”.
“A big accident just happened, all of you are requested to spare no effort. Senior, don’t try to kiss the Black Stone… It’s a difficult time.”
In an official Saudi statement issued on September 30, 2017, the Special Force for the Security of the Grand Mosque clarified the details of the incident saying the blood was for a pilgrim who was injured at the Grand Mosque near the Black Stone.
The official spokesperson for the Special Force for the Security of the Grand Mosque, Major Sameh al-Salamy, explained that the picture and video which surfaced again and was recently circulated on social media were old, and that the blood was from an accidental injury to an African pilgrim.
The pilgrim sustained a leg injury after he slipped, and he was immediately treated by the security men present at the site and transferred to Hospital Ajyad at the time to receive the necessary treatment.
