Pakistan Journalists Forum Jeddah Strongly Condemns Houthi Attempt to Target Makkah Al-Mukarramah

Jeddah (Bureau Report) — The Pakistan Journalists Forum (PJF) Jeddah has strongly condemned the attempt by Yemen’s Houthi militia to target Makkah Al-Mukarramah using a drone. The Forum stated that the sanctity, security, and inviolability of the Two Holy Mosques (Haramain Sharifain) are matters of utmost sacredness and are non-negotiable for the entire Muslim Ummah. In a joint statement, Forum office-bearers and members—including Ameer Muhammad Khan, Maroof Hussain, Jameel Rathore, Shahid Naeem, Khalid Cheema, Asad Akram, Zakir Bhatti,Ryan Matyer, Amanatullah, Aamil Usmani, Maryam Shahid, Javed Rahu, Aaliya Zarrar Khan, and Fauzia Khan—asserted that the attempted attack on Makkah Al-Mukarramah is not merely an act of aggression against Saudi Arabia but an attempt to wound the religious sentiments of Muslims worldwide. Millions of Muslims from across the globe visit the holy city annually for Hajj, Umrah, and Ziyarat; therefore, the security of the Two Holy Mosques is a shared responsibility and a matter of concern for the entire Muslim Ummah. Citing the long-standing, responsible journalistic coverage provided by *Arab News* regarding Makkah Al-Mukarramah and the Two Holy Mosques, the Pakistan Journalists Forum commended the work of prominent journalist Siraj Wahab on this subject. The Forum noted that, according to a recent *Arab News* report, Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone heading toward Makkah Al-Mukarramah before it could enter the city’s airspace. According to the report, this was the Houthis’ second attempt to target Makkah Al-Mukarramah; a similar attempt to fire a missile towards Makkah had previously been made in July 2017. Commending the timely response of the Saudi air defense forces, the Pakistan Journalists Forum stated that the security measures implemented by Saudi Arabia to protect pilgrims—including those performing Hajj and Umrah—and the holy sites are highly praiseworthy. The Forum urged the international community, Islamic nations, Muslim organizations, and global media to adopt a clear and effective stance against any attempt to target the holy sites. It emphasized that the Islamic world bears the responsibility of holding accountable those who target innocent civilians, holy sites, and places of worship. Expressing complete solidarity with the people and government of Saudi Arabia—and particularly with the pilgrims visiting the Two Holy Mosques—the Pakistan Journalists Forum (Jeddah) affirmed that the Pakistani journalistic community would continue to fulfill its professional responsibilities regarding the peace and stability of Saudi Arabia and the sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques.