Doha: Representing His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, the Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, led the Sultanate of Oman’s delegation at the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit held in the Qatari capital, Doha. The summit saw the participation of Their Majesties, Excellencies, and Highnesses, who are the heads of the attending delegations.
Upon his arrival at the summit venue, HH Sayyid Shihab was welcomed by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar.
At the beginning of the summit, the Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs expressed His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s greetings and profound gratitude for the State of Qatar’s efforts in hosting the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit during such a crucial time in global history.
The following is the text of HH Sayyid Shihab’s speech:
"It is my privilege to start by extending the greetings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, along with his sincere appreciation for the efforts of our sister nation, the State of Qatar, in organizing this emergency summit at a particularly pivotal moment in world history.
Your Majesties, Excellencies, Highnesses, and esteemed guests,
The treacherous assault aimed at the sisterly State of Qatar has highlighted the seriousness of the current phase we are undergoing and the widening scope of the conflict being conducted by Israel in our region – ignoring international law, legitimacy, and the sanctity of innocent lives.
The targeting of Qatar, a leading nation diligently striving for de-escalation and the revival of the peace process in Palestine, only pushes us further away from the noble objective we all aspire to achieve: a fair and comprehensive peace that honors the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The Sultanate of Oman vehemently condemns this abhorrent aggression and expresses its unwavering solidarity with the State of Qatar – its leadership, government, and citizens. We stress that the security of Qatar is a vital component of the security of the entire Gulf region, and indeed of the whole Arab and Islamic world.
However, our responsibility today goes beyond mere condemnation. It necessitates concrete and practical measures, especially on the legal and diplomatic fronts. We must take action at the United Nations, the Security Council, and the General Assembly. We need to utilize the instruments of international law to hold Israel accountable for its crimes and violations, and we must collaborate to stop this perilous path that endangers international peace as a whole.
The Sultanate of Oman is convinced that the silence of the international community in the face of these violations breeds impunity and fosters further aggression. Thus, we urge this assembly to initiate a serious and unified effort – one that transforms Arab and Islamic solidarity into definitive positions and tangible pressure to end the occupation, cease the assaults, and restore the authority of international legitimacy.
Your Majesties, Excellencies, Highnesses, and esteemed guests,
Our gathering today reaffirms that our Arab and Islamic nation possesses the strength to face challenges when united. We firmly believe that unity is the best way to ensure the future of our peoples and safeguard our nations.
Peace be upon you, along with God’s mercy and blessings.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, commenced the summit with a speech highlighting that the Israeli aggression against Qatar has astonished the global community and has intentionally targeted its mediation efforts regarding the conflict in Gaza.
Sheikh Tamim pointed out that Qatar is a nation committed to mediation and has been tirelessly working for two years to achieve a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and to put an end to the devastating war against the Palestinian people. He emphasized that Israel not only refuses to pursue peace with its neighbors but also aims to impose its dominance over them.
Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), expressed in his speech his strong condemnation of Israel’s overt attack on the State of Qatar and supported any actions it takes to ensure its security and sovereignty. He urged the United Nations Security Council to fulfill its responsibilities and hold Israel accountable for its actions.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, stated that the Israeli aggression against Qatari sovereignty has crossed all limits and breached every humanitarian principle. He remarked that the lack of accountability and the culture of impunity only encourage Israeli leaders to persist in their transgressions.
The summit assessed strategies to address the atrocious Israeli attack that targeted senior Hamas officials on Qatari territory, its serious repercussions, and its blatant violation of sovereignty that jeopardizes regional stability. Delegates collaborated to formulate a unified response to this act of hostility while also enhancing collective Arab and Islamic cooperation to tackle ongoing security and political issues across the region.
Additionally, the summit deliberated on ways to support efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza and the crucial role of Qatari mediation in this regard, while reaffirming the fundamental significance of the Palestinian cause and the urgent need for a fair and comprehensive resolution in line with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
The Omani delegation accompanying the Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs comprised Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister; Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, Minister of Finance; Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Sa’eedi, Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs; Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Al Harrasi, Minister of Information; Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs; and Sayyid Ammar bin Abdullah Al Busaidi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the State of Qatar.
