Arab press hails Islamic summit 'unity'

Papers in the Arab world agree that this week's summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference in Mecca has highlighted a need for unity to lead Islam out of its current crisis and improve its image on the international stage.

A pan-Arab paper however regrets there was no outright condemnation of the US presence in Iraq or of Israeli actions against Palestinians.

COMMENTARY IN SYRIA'S AL-THAWRAH

There is no doubt that the extraordinary summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference represents an important opportunity, which the Islamic countries should seize, to change the bleak image of Islam as depicted in the mass media... It is also an opportunity for these countries to prove their ability to confront political, social and economic challenges.

EDITORIAL IN EGYPT'S AL-JUMHURIYAH

Only a common stand by the Islamic world is capable of protecting it against attempts to form fragmented groups inside and outside it. It is common action alone which can give the Islamic world greater influence over developments on the international arena.

EDITORIAL IN SAUDI ARABIA'S AL-RIYADH

Muslims are watching their summit in Mecca for results which will reflect back on them. They want to see their leaders overcome the state of weakness, division and backwardness and arrive at conclusions showing that development, shared interests, exchange of information and the opening of markets constitute some of the means of integration between them.

EDITORIAL IN QATAR'S AL-WATAN

The Mecca summit has succeeded in what it committed itself to. It is hoped that its documents and final statement will convert into reality, steps and measures... which stress the need for the nation to unite in the face of challenges and catastrophes.

EDITORIAL IN YEMEN'S AL-THAWRAH

If the Islamic summit has decided to embark on reforming itself, Yemen has dotted the i's and crossed the t's. It has identified the correct course which leads the Islamic world to unity, and to possess elements of strength, influence and action in this age where there is room only for the strong.

COMMENTARY IN UK-BASED AL-ARAB AL-ALAMIYAH

We congratulate those who attended the conference for their willingness to implement the unity of the Islamic people at the economic, religious and political levels, so that the Islamic world can resume its role and position in all international forums.

COMMENTARY IN UK-BASED AL-QUDS AL-ARABI

We were hoping that the summit would strongly condemn the US occupation of Iraq and the attacks that target Muslim civilians and their villages. Unfortunately, no reference was ever made to this crucial issue, nor were Israeli terrorist practices against the Palestinian people mentioned either... This kind of stand once again proves that most Islamic governments are only puppets of the Americans.

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