Rohingya issue in Myanmar on top of the agenda in Islamic Solidarity Summit

The Makkah summit is expected to be another milestone in fostering Islamic solidarity. Rohingya issue is expected to be on the top of the agenda.

In the meantime king Abdullah has ordered US $ 50m to be made available, immediately as an emergency relief, for the affected Muslim minority in Myanmar.

The summit which is scheduled to start on the 14th of August will go on for two full days, with the participation of heads of states of 57 Muslim countries and their delegations.

The king said that Rohingya Muslims have been facing human rights violations including ethnic cleansing, killing rape and expulsion. Meanwhile, GCC foreign ministers will hold a special meeting in Jeddah to discuss the problems and the challenges facing the Islamic world.

The time chosen by the Custodian of the Holy Mosque, king Abdullah to hold the Islamic Solidarity Summit is most desirable, considering the dangers the Muslim world faces of fragmentation and sedition.

The proposed emergency summit called by king Abdullah is scheduled to take place, in the holy city of Makkah, just before the 27thnight of Ramadan, one of the most sacred nights for all Muslims.

It was little over 30 years ago an Islamic Summit was held in the same venue under the patronage of late king Khaled, in 1981. Its theme of ‘Al Qudus’ was then chosen as a manifestation of the adherence of the nation to Muslim holy places.

It is still very fresh in my mind how late king Khaled wept when the then Imam of Makkah recited a powerful ‘dua’ seeking almighty’s blessings to unite the Muslim nation.

The late king’s tears, which were visibly seen, really touched everyone’s heart who watched the proceedings on the Saudi TV. Keeping with the tradition of rising to the occasion, when the Muslim nation is in real danger, king Abdullah too has called for this summit in this holy month of Ramadan and choosing the same venue. May Allah bless him for his sincere efforts and we pray the summit every success and for it to serve the cause it is called for.

- Asian Tribune -