Preparations are underway in the holy city of Makkah to host later this week three summits, as well as Umrah pilgrims.
The city will host Gulf and Arab summits on Thursday and a summit for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Friday.
The summits will tackle numerous affairs, most significantly the attacks against commercial vessels off the United Arab Emirates’ territorial waters and the attack by Iran-backed Houthi militias against oil pumping stations in Saudi Arabia earlier this month.
The summits will address the impact these developments have on regional and international peace and on global oil supplies.
The General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars highlighted that the summits were being held in Makkah during the final days of the holy fasting month of Ramadan and as Umrah pilgrims were performing their rituals.
More than three million worshippers are performing the Umrah.
“All Muslims, Arabs and Gulf residents look forward to these meetings to unite their ranks and protect the nation against evils and strife,” said the Scholars on Monday.
Authorities in Makkah have taken security and measures in preparation for the summits.
A security official told Asharq Al-Awsat that 2,500 security cameras allow authorities to monitor the city and supply personnel on the ground with their needs.
He noted that the flow of Umrah worshipers reaches its peak before the Maghreb and Isha prayers.
