Makkah Conclave To Focus On Strengthening Solidarity In Islamic Ummah
Jeddah, Aug 6: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has called an emergency Islamic summit in Makkah on August 14-15 to focus on Islamic unity and solidarity and address major issues facing the Islamic world today.
Muhammad bin Ahmed Tayeb, director general of the Foreign Ministry’s office in Makkah province said the King has called for “an extraordinary Islamic solidarity meeting to ensure unity during this delicate time as the Muslim world faces dangers of fragmentation and sedition,” the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.
Makkah summit is the fourth emergency conference to be convened by OIC since it was formed in 1969. The third extraordinary OIC summit was also held in Makkah in December, 2000 on King Abdullah’s initiative. It adopted a ten-year action plan to strengthen the 57-member organization, the second largest after the UN.
OIC foreign ministers would meet on August 13 after a preparatory meeting of senior officials. “Strengthening the unity and solidarity of the Islamic Ummah is the summit’s main agenda,” the Saudi official pointed out.
The summit comes in the wake of increasing political challenges that demand more cohesive and solid actions from the Islamic world.
Tayeb also explained the salient features of the Kingdom’s foreign policy that has won global applause. “Our foreign policy aims at achieving world peace and stability, and helping our Muslim brethren around the world to have a dignified life. We support the Palestinians to restore their lost homeland and legitimate rights.”
Tayeb highlighted Saudi Arabia’s strategic role in the Islamic world and described it as a divine one. “Our government endeavors to ensure the welfare and prosperity of the millions of pilgrims who come for Hajj and Umrah from all over the world.”
He said Saudi Arabia is proud of being the guardian of the Two Holy Mosques. “Our king loves to be called the servant of the Two Holy Mosques. We consider this as our responsibility towards Allah as well as to the 1.5 billion Muslims around the world.”

Lastupdate on : Mon, 6 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 6 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 7 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST