The Mecca Agreement: Policy, Foresight, and Wisdom
May God protect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and our homeland from the evils of the envious and malicious, and may He protect our leaders from all harm, granting them success in what He loves and approves. He is true when He said, “For every era, there is a state and men.” Anyone who reads the history of our sister Kingdom and its leaders will find the truth in this saying. Since the banner of monotheism (“There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”) was raised, it has been carried by king after king, who took pride in competing to serve the Two Holy Mosques and the other cities of the Kingdom. When we review the eras of its leadership, we find that each era’s approach and methodology complemented the previous one, while advancing modernization and development. What distinguished the era of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and his Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, may God protect them, was their wisdom, acumen, intelligence, and creativity, as well as a race against time, for which the world bears witness.
In detailing some aspects of this, the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defense captured the right time, place, and substance. The meeting, pledge, and signing took place on the holiest land and most sacred site, the Qibla of all Muslims, within the House of God. The timing was Friday, during the Friday prayer, as if the witnesses were the bowing and prostrating worshippers in the courtyard of the Kaaba. What a scene, overshadowing all others! This event occurred at a time when the world was pregnant with unlawful developments and a dangerous labor pains for the Ummah. Glory be to God. Coincidentally, before writing these lines, I was reading the words of Allah, the Exalted: “And We inspired to Moses, ‘Strike with your staff the sea,’ and it parted, and each portion was like a great mountain. And We brought near the others. And We saved Moses and those with him entirely. Then We drowned the others. Indeed in that is a sign, but most of them were not to be believers.” (Al-Shu’ara: 63-67). The Word of Allah is true and Great.
Perhaps God, the Almighty, inspired these leaders to draft and sign this agreement so that they might strike with their staffs against every transgressing sinner. It must be stated here that such a positive effort does not contradict any existing agreements, alliances, or groupings in which the parties to the Mecca Agreement participate. This does not contradict the broader Arab effort, even if it has been weakened due to surrounding circumstances. The Arab League has exerted its utmost efforts; let us not forget, for example, its meeting following Saddam’s invasion of Kuwait to support Kuwait’s rights, nor the subsequent monumental role of the Gulf Cooperation Council in restoring Kuwait to its people under Arab cover and unparalleled international support.
Turkey’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a positive factor that generally benefits and reinforces the positivity of this agreement. In addition to the strength of the “Mecca Agreement” alliance, there is the NATO force, which deters anyone who might dare to even think about executing an attack, causing them to reconsider before committing any folly. Similarly, Pakistan is a strong Islamic state covered by the umbrella of deterrent nuclear power. Who among the “fearful but unashamed” would have the audacity to think of attacking others? Thus, it constitutes a significant element of strength in the joint defense agreement.
Thus, we discern the importance of this alliance and the wisdom of Saudi leadership in expending efforts to finalize it. In political science, this demonstrates foresight and far-sightedness, especially given the changing international and regional political circumstances, which require a vision suited to these variables and challenges. This is, of course, despite the Kingdom’s special status in the hearts of every Arab and Muslim worldwide—a status not available to any other state. If the Kingdom were to call upon the Muslims of the entire world from the pulpit of the Prophet’s Mosque or in the Holy House, more than two billion Muslims would respond and rush to protect the land of the Two Holy Mosques, where the House of God and the city of His Messenger (peace be upon him) are located. They would come on foot or in columns, and that protection from God is undoubtedly stronger than any other.
In conclusion, the “Mecca Agreement” is a political and legal tactic that aligns with the laws of this era and reminds adversaries that the three states operate in the light and with transparency, through their official institutions, not in the dark through cells, arms, and militias. As if the agreement were saying, “I have warned those whom I was commanded to warn.” Let us work for peace, decent living, and the development and advancement of our countries to bring happiness and well-being to citizens, enabling them to build their nations and families and enjoy a dignified life.
[email protected]
