The Muslim World League of Scholars has described the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in Makkah on Aug. 7 as a strategic step that could strengthen solidarity among Muslim countries in the face of common threats.

The organization called for the cooperation to be expanded beyond the three signatories and urged other Muslim countries to join the agreement.

In a written statement, the Muslim World League of Scholars referred to the Quran's emphasis on unity and solidarity, saying the agreement between the three countries could strengthen the collective position of the Muslim world against shared threats.

The organization highlighted the different strengths of the three countries. It pointed to Saudi Arabia's religious, historical, political and economic weight, Türkiye's political, military, industrial and economic capabilities, and Pakistan's military capacity and strategic position.

The organization said bringing these capabilities together could provide an important foundation for stronger unity and cooperation across the Muslim world.

It also stressed that closer coordination among the three countries could help develop a stronger collective response to security and strategic challenges facing Muslim countries.

The agreement was signed on Aug. 7 in Makkah, in the vicinity of the Grand Mosque. The organization said the location gave the agreement a particular spiritual and symbolic significance.

The Muslim World League of Scholars thanked the Saudi authorities for hosting the signing and described the Makkah meeting as a development carrying deep spiritual and symbolic meaning.

The organization also said the partnership should not remain confined to military and security cooperation. It expressed hope that the initiative would eventually develop into an institutional framework covering political, economic, social, scientific and development-related areas.

The organization called for other Muslim countries that attach importance to major issues facing the Islamic world, particularly the Palestinian cause and the protection of Al-Aqsa Mosque, to join the process.

It also appealed to leaders, scholars and institutions across Muslim countries to make use of the opportunities created by the agreement and work toward broader cooperation.

League of Scholars said strengthening integration among Muslim countries on the basis of common interests and expanding cooperation could contribute to peace, security and dignity across the Islamic world. (ILKHA)