OIC Suspends Syria’s Membership at Mecca Summit

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) suspended Syria’s membership early on Thursday at a summit of Islamic leaders in Mecca, citing President Bashar al-Assad’s violent suppression of the Syrian revolt. (Reuters)

“The conference decides to suspend the Syrian Arab Republic membership in the OIC and all its subsidiary organs, specialized and affiliated institutions,” the closing statement of the Mecca Summit said. (Reuters, 16 August)

Saudi King Abdullah in a gesture of conciliatory toward Iran, placed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at his side when welcoming other Muslim leaders at the start of the Summit. The noticeable gesture of unity by the king was believed to be part of Saudi’s attempt to find a resolution to the Syrian crisis.

Muslim Leaders in Mecca

Muslim leaders from across the Middle East, including Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, gathered today in Mecca for an urgent summit on the critical situation in Syria, hosted by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah.

Photo Credit: Governor of Mecca Saudi Prince Khaled al-Faisal (R) welcomes Iranian President Ahmadinejad, wearing haj dress, upon his arrival at Jeddah airport. 13 August, 2012. Reuters

OIC to Suspend Syria at Mecca Summit

Iran Opposed Syrian Suspension

Foreign ministers at a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) today agreed to suspend Syria from the OIC membership. The ministers were holding preparatory talks in Jeddah before a two-day OIC summit in Mecca starting on Tuesday.

“The session just ended. The ministers adopted the resolutions, including the suspension of Syria,” Reuters quoted an OIC official.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Mecca today to attend the summit. Iran had opposed the move to suspend the Syrian membership at OIC. Before the ministers meeting today, the country’s foreign minister told reporters that suspending Syria from the OIC “does not resolve anything.” Iran has also raised objection to the establishment of an internationally enforced no-fly zone over Syria.

Ahmadinejad to Attend Islamic Summit in Mecca

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is to attend an emergency summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the holy city of Mecca at the invitation of Saudi King Abdullah. The summit will be held on 14-15 August with the aim of “unifying the ranks” of Muslims on the issues facing the Islamic world. The worsening situation in Syria is expected to top the summit agenda.

Ahmadinejad Invited to OIC Summit in Mecca

Saudi Arabia has invited Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to an emergency meeting of Muslim leaders in Mecca. (Mehr News Agency, 4 August)

Saudi Arabian King Abdullah called for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Mecca to be held on August 14-15. Developments in Syria are expected to top the summit agenda.