By Hassan Cheruppa
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the Houthi militias in Yemen for firing a ballistic missile targeting the holy city of Makkah.
“It is an attack on all Muslims around the world,” said Iyad Madani, secretary-general of the pan-Islamic body, which groups 56 Islamic states.
He stressed that any threat to the security of Saudi Arabia is a threat to the security and cohesion of the entire Muslim world.
The abhorrent act is the latest in a series of dangerous attacks targeting holy places in Saudi Arabia including the dreadful attack in the vicinity of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah last June, Madani said in a statement.
He described the missile attack as a foolhardy move in total disregard to the feelings of Muslims and the sanctity of the holy places.
“This attack is a hopeless attempt to disrupt the safety and security of the holy lands and to wreck all efforts at resolving the conflict in Yemen through peaceful means, especially after the UN Special Envoy has presented new ideas for ending the crisis,” he said.
Madani reiterated the support of OIC to the legitimate Yemeni government and the efforts of the United Nations toward finding a political solution that guarantees the security of Yemen and its stability while maintaining its unity and territorial integrity.
He pledged OIC's support to the continuous efforts of Saudi Arabia to restore peace in Yemen by supporting the country's legitimate institutions. He also affirmed the OIC's solidarity with Saudi Arabia in all steps and courses it takes to preserve the nation's safety and stability.
The secretary-general said he will start consultations with members of the Executive Committee to hold a meeting to discuss the disturbing developments, following the attacks by Houthi militias and forces loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh, former president of Yemen, targeting the holy cities.
