Several prominent Saudi women figures, including journalists, writers, professionals and community leaders lauded Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for convening emergency Islamic summit in Makkah at a time when the Islamic nation is facing serious crises. They hoped that the summit would help the Islamic nation to come out of its crises, narrow down differences of opinion and strengthen its solidarity. In comments to a local Arabic daily, they urged Muslim leaders to forge a unified position toward addressing major problems in political, economic, social, and security.
Noted Saudi journalist and Managing Editor of the OIC Journal, Maha Aqeel, said the summit is being held at a time when the Islamic nation is passing through difficult times.
“Muslims are facing persecution and subjected to killing like what is happening to the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, and Palestinians in the occupied territories who are reeling under the Israeli brutal regime, in addition to the tragic situation of Muslims in Syria,” she said while hoping that the summit would come out with positive results that would serve the interests of all Muslims. Aqeel called for enhanced cooperation between the Arab and Islamic societies with a specific future action plan.
Prominent writer Hessa Al-Sheikh hoped that the top priority of the summit would be to achieve unity and solidarity of the Islamic nation.
“There is not doubt that there should be a concrete initiative to end the discord and sectarianism based on hatred, enmity and continuous infighting between followers of the same religion of Islam.
This should be the basis for working out a fully-fledged action program to put an end to various pressing problems facing the Islamic nation, especially poverty and unemployment,” she said. The female supervisor general at King Abdulaziz National Dialogue Center hoped that the summit would unite the Islamic nation just like the Holy Kaaba unites hearts of every Muslim. The summit is expected to come out with recommendations aimed at achieving integration and cooperation of Muslims in economic, scientific, cultural and political fields.
Economic writer and member of the Saudi Economic Society Reem Asaad, highlighted the timing of the summit, saying that Muslim heads of state and decision makers will be gathering together at the holiest place on earth in the most blessed period of the year. She hoped that the Muslim leaders would map out a comprehensive plan to address grave issues facing the Muslims minorities like the ethnic cleaning being subjected to the Rohingya Muslims.
Khadeeja Qari Al-Sayyid, writer and poet said that as a visionary leader, King Abdullah has chosen the best timing and place for the summit with an earnest desire to achieve Islamic unity and solidarity.
Fatima Hussein Al-Rajhi, writer and academic, said that Islamic cooperation and solidarity could be strengthened as a result of the summit. The Makkah event is being held at a time when the Islamic nation is in dire need of unity and cooperation in political, security and economic fields.
Dr. Sahar Rajab, family and psychological consultant said the summit is expected to boost major Islamic issues, especially that of Palestine.
Strengthening Islamic cooperation would help the Muslim nation to come out of its crises.
Amal Al-Zahrani, engineer pointed out that the summit is the outcome of the sincere desire of King Abdullah to achieve unity and cohesion of the Islamic nation.
Fahd Mahmoud Al-Hassan, president of women’s committee at Al-Jouf Literary Club added: the summit is a good signal that leaders of the Islamic nation can sit together to address their pressing needs and solve their crises.
Asma Hashim, writer and skills trainer said that the disunity and discord of Arab and Muslim brothers keeps King Abdullah awake and hence, he called for the Makkah summit as part of his tireless efforts to achieve Islamic unity and solidarity.