Mecca Summit, Historic Test For Safeguarding Muslims' Dignity, Divine Values

Tehran, Aug 13, IRNA – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Monday morning referred to the upcoming summit of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as a historic test for both its invitees and participants to safeguard Muslims' dignity and support their long-term goals as well as divine values and principles. The President made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the airport prior to his departure to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where he is to attend the extraordinary summit of the 57-member OIC which is to be held on August 14-15. President Ahmadinejad attends the event at the official invitation of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia. He is accompanied by Supreme Leader's Advisor for International Affairs Ali-Akbar Velayati, President's senior advisor Mojtaba Samareh-Hashemi, Head of Presidential Office Esfandiar Rahim Mashaee and a number of ministers. "The visit is taking place at the official invitation of the host country in order to both perform a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca and take part in the OIC summit," President Ahmadinejad told reporters. Noting that the OIC was established primarily to support Palestinian nation and liberation of the occupied lands, he said, "The present situation is critical and complicated. Massive developments are made while influenced by various currents and factors." He added that enemies are striving to waste Muslim governments and nations' energy and wealth by pushing them to fight one another. President Ahmadinejad hoped that the OIC Summit would bring "further convergence and solidarity" to Muslim states and remove any possible malice. "World's Muslims are waiting for the outcome of this summit," said the President. He said, on the sidelines of the summit, he would hold separate meetings with a number of participants to discuss major bilateral, regional and international developments./end