Makkah hosts its third international Islamic summit

The third extraordinary Islamic summit is coming in two days to Makkah, Islam's most sacred shrine. The first Islamic summit was held on Jan. 25-28, 1981. The second was held on Dec. 7-8, 2005, when Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah was crown prince. The third summit, separated from the first one by approximately 32 years, is being held Aug. 14-15, 2012 (Ramadan 26-27, 1433H).
The opening ceremony of the first summit was held inside the Grand Mosque, bestowing on delegates a deep sense of spirituality and tolerance. The leaders chanted Duaa (supplication) in unison after the Imam of the Grand Mosque.
A number of Muslim scholars and political leaders believe that the sanctity of Makkah and the charismatic personality of King Abdullah, who called for the summit, are guarantors to the success of the gathering. 
"Makkah is the most sacred spot on earth. Islam emanated from Makkah, and the Holy Qur'an was revealed there. These are sufficient elements for the success of the summit," the Grand Mufti of Egypt said.
Talking to Al-Riyadh newspaper on Friday, Ali Juma praised Saudi Arabia's efforts to achieve Islamic solidarity in face the challenges threatening the Ummah (community). "This summit gains extra significance from the very fact that it will be held in Makkah, the place of revelation and the Qibla of Muslims (direction faced in prayer).” said Juma.
Director of the future studies center at the Egyptian Assiut University, Mohamed Mansour, said King Abdullah's call for an Islamic summit in Makkah was a manifestation of his keenness about the solidarity of Muslims, especially at this grave juncture. "The summit is being held during extraordinary circumstances which make it imperative on us to achieve solidarity and close our ranks in the face of the pending dangers and challenges," he said.
Pakistan Religious Affairs Minister Khursheed Shah expressed profound respect for the king and said the people of Pakistan highly appreciate King Abdullah's call for an Islamic summit in Makkah in this scared month.
He announced that president Asef Zardari would personally attend the summit and said the Pakistani people were optimistic that the summit would be a success and would tackle all issues facing the Ummah.
Rector of the International Islamic University in Islamabad, Sajid ur Rehman, hailed King Abdullah's call for an extraordinary Islamic summit conference in Makkah and said that this call was perfectly timed, as the Muslim world was passing through difficult times.
The rector said that since the time of King Abdul Aziz, the founder, the Saudi leaders have left no stone unturned regarding the welfare of Islam and Muslims.