Background & Purpose of the Summit
The Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit took place 15 September 2025 in Doha, Qatar, following the Israeli airstrike on 9 September that targeted Hamas political figures inside Qatar. Qatar condemned the strike as a violation of its sovereignty and international norms.A preparatory meeting of foreign ministers was held on 14 September to agree upon a draft resolution and the communiqué to be presented at the leaders’ summit.
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| Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha |
Key Statements & What Was Said
United Arab Emirates (UAE): The UAE condemned the attack, summoning Israel’s deputy envoy in protest. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reiterated solidarity with Qatar and called for strengthened cooperation among Arab states.
Pakistan: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the airstrike, calling it a “brazen violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar” and dangerous for regional stability. Pakistan pushed for the UN Security Council to treat the attack as a serious escalation.
Other Arab & Islamic states:
Oman, Algeria, Syria, Mauritania, Morocco, and others also strongly denounced the strike and expressed solidarity.
Russia described the strike as a “gross violation” of international law and Qatar’s sovereignty. Reuters
What Happened at the Summit & Agreements Reached
Attendees reiterated that Israel’s actions risk derailing peace efforts and normalisation efforts. The draft resolution warns that continued strikes and aggression will undermine existing peace negotiations and risk broader escalation.
Summit leaders emphasized solidarity with Qatar, affirmed its right to security, and reiterated the importance of respecting state sovereignty. They called for accountability and urged that the norms of international law be upheld.
Countries’ Particular Positions
| Country | Main Statement / Position |
|---|---|
| Qatar | Condemned strike as state terrorism; highlighted mediation role; insisted collective regional response; pursuing legal recourse. |
| UAE | Summoned Israel’s deputy envoy; solidarity with Qatar; emphasised regional stability and collective response. |
| Pakistan | Called strike violation of sovereignty; urged UN Security Council to see it as serious threat; emphasized Muslim unity. |
| Egypt, Oman, Algeria, Morocco | Strong condemnation; solidarity; stressed importance of law, sovereignty, region-wide impact. |
| Russia | Condemned the strike, calling it a gross violation of international law. |
Geopolitical Implications & Strategic Shifts
The summit signals that Arab and Islamic states are prepared to act more collectively in condemning acts seen as violating sovereignty.There's growing suspicion and concern about the role of the United States—especially in its alliances and intelligence sharing—given Israel's ability to execute a strike on Qatari soil, a country that is a U.S. ally and a mediator. Some states are reportedly exploring closer engagements with other global powers like China.
The strike and summit may affect normalization agreements (such as the Abraham Accords) as some signatories see Israel’s actions as undermining trust.
What Remains Unclear
How effective these unified statements will be in influencing Israeli policy or securing accountability under international law.
The long-term effect on mediation efforts in the Gaza conflict, as Qatar has been a central broker in negotiations.
Summary
The 2025 Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Doha saw major Arab and Islamic countries coming together in unusually strong consensus to condemn the Israeli airstrike on Qatar. While the diplomatic gestures are clear and the positions unified, the summit’s impact will ultimately depend on whether this solidarity translates into concrete action, shifts in diplomatic alliances, and changes in how international law and sovereignty are respected in conflicts.
FAQs
Q1: Why was the Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit 2025 held in Doha?
The summit was convened after Israel’s September 9, 2025 airstrike in Qatar that killed Hamas officials. Qatar requested an emergency meeting to address the violation of its sovereignty and regional security concerns.
Q2: Which countries participated in the Doha summit?
Leaders and representatives from Arab League and OIC member states attended, including Qatar, UAE, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Morocco, and others.
Q3: What resolutions were passed at the summit?
The draft resolution condemned Israel’s actions as a violation of sovereignty, warned of threats to peace and normalization efforts, and affirmed solidarity with Qatar.
Q4: What was Qatar’s stance at the summit?
Qatar’s Prime Minister labeled the strike “state terrorism” and vowed legal action while urging a united Arab-Islamic response.
Q5: How did other global powers react to the strike?
Russia condemned it as a “gross violation” of international law. Several Western powers expressed concern but avoided direct condemnation of Israel.
Q6: What are the broader implications of the summit?
The summit signaled stronger Arab-Islamic unity, raised questions about U.S. alliances, and cast doubt on the future of peace and normalization efforts in the Middle East.
