Saudi Arabia steps up preparation for Islamic Summit in Makkah

Saudi Arabia has stepped up preparations for the emergency Islamic summit, which was called by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia to strengthen Islamic unity and solidarity. The summit is due to be held in Makkah on August 14-15. "We have made all arrangements to make this summit a big success," Director General of the Foreign Ministry’s office in Makkah province Muhammad bin Ahmed Tayeb said. Speaking to the Saudi daily (Arab News), he said invitations had been sent to leaders of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to attend the conference. He said 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 diplomat said. The summit comes in the wake of increasing political challenges that demand more cohesive and solid actions from the Islamic world. OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said the tragic situation in Syria and the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar would figure high on the summit’s agenda. Yesterday, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques sent an invitation to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to attend the emergency Islamic summit in Makkah. Saudi Ambassador to Iran Muhammad Al-Kilabi handed the invitation to Rahim Mashani, director of the president’s office, during a meeting in Tehran yesterday.