Two Indians, who were detained in Saudi Arabia on Friday for taking pictures with the Indian flag inside the Holy Mosque in Mecca, have been released. The father-son duo from Vadodra was detained for posting and taking pictures inside the Haram in Mecca.

Display of flags is banned in Haram area in Mecca, as per the law of the land.

After Consulate General of India (CGI) in Jeddah intervened, the 12-year-old son Uzair Ali was released immediately while his father Imtiaz Ali Saiyed, 45, was allowed walk free on Saturday.

Imtiaz is as resident of Tandalja area in the city manages a shop at Old Padra Road. He left for Mecca along with his wife and two children on Monday. He along with his son was detained after Imtiaz took a picture of his son with the tricolour.

With our immediate n timely intervention in Court proceedings n police Mr.Imtiaz arrested 2day in Makkah is also released.Tnx 2 all including local govt officials 4 support.All Indian Haj or Umrah Pilgrims pl note that display of Flags in Haram area is banned.@IndianEmbRiyadh

— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) November 17, 2018

The CGI in Jeddah later after the incident in a tweet reiterated the ban on flags in the Haram area and said it was able to secure the release of 12-year-old Uzair and is working to help Imtiaz.   

“Please note it is banned to display flags in Haram area. Our official has already met Mr Imitiaz Ali and son Mr Uzair Ali at Haram Police station. After our intervention, Uzair Ali has been released. We are following the case and all help being extended for early release of Mr Imitiaz as well,” CGI in Jeddah had tweeted.

Imitiaz’s brother told the Indian Express he was informed by his cousin about the detention. He said he is yet to hear from them. “They had taken the flag with them but didn’t know it was banned to take pictures with it,” he was quoted as saying.

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