Faheem Al-Hamid Okaz/Saudi GazetteJEDDAH — President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan has confirmed his participation in next month's Islamic summit in Makkah called by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The summit is scheduled to discuss pressing issues concerning the Muslim Ummah. “The initiative taken by King Abdullah is indeed most commendable and we hope the emergency summit will not only identify most critical issues facing the Ummah but also suggest practical ways to address them," President Zardari told the Saudi Gazette in a telephone interview from Islamabad, Saturday. “Pakistan looks forward to participating in the summit. I wish the summit all success," Zardari said. Diplomatic sources told the Saudi Gazette that Pakistan would seek to highlight the threats it faces and to focus on the Afghan issue during the summit scheduled for Ramadan 26-27 (Aug. 14-15). However, the Syrian crisis would top the agenda amid mounting international pressure on Damascus to end attacks on Aleppo that have already caused heavy casualties among opposition fighters as well as civilian population, the sources said. “The problems facing the Ummah are complex and varied and (the situation) calls for combined efforts of all Muslim countries to find solutions," Zardari said. “It is indeed most thoughtful of King Abdullah to have offered to host such a conference. It demonstrates his concern for the Muslims and commitment to help resolve the issues facing them through a process of broad-based consultations, negotiations and dialogue."
