So mateen was in Saudi Arabia twice, in 2011 and 2012, and no one knew this. Shouldn't this fact have put up a "RED FLAG" ? I thought after 9/11, any travel to the middle east was deemed "suspicious". especially someone who was muslim or of arab descent

Mateen Traveled to Saudi Arabia for 'Muslim Pilgrimage' in 2011 and 2012, Before FBI Interviews   Justin Holcomb  Jun 13, 2016

 

Federal officials have told NBC News that Omar Mateen went to Saudi Arabia in 2011 and 2012.  The officials were not able to make any distinction on what he was doing there.
However, a spokesman for Saudi Arabia's Ministry of the Interior told NBC News that Mateen visited to perform the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca known as Umrah.

Richard Engel 

✔ @RichardEngel

A spokesman for Saudi Arabia's Interior tels @NBCNews Mateen performed Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) twice, in 2011, 2012 #Orlando

9:54 AM - 13 Jun 2016

 

As Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca in their so-called pilgrimage, they gather by the thousands around the religious birthplace of Muhammad and circle the mosque seven times.