07.08.2026 22:30
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is in Saudi Arabia to sign the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, stood side by side in prayer rows at the Masjid al-Haram with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. The three leaders performed the Friday prayer together ahead of the critical signing ceremony.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Mecca. The three prominent leaders of the Islamic world performed Friday prayers together at the Masjid al-Haram before the signing ceremony of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.
GRAND GATHERING AT MASJID AL-HARAM
President Erdogan, who is in Saudi Arabia to sign the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, drew attention with his gathering with Prince bin Salman and Prime Minister Sharif at Masjid al-Haram. The leaders standing side by side in prayer during Friday prayers was seen as a strong message of unity ahead of the critical signing ceremony.
KEY FIGURES STAND IN THE SAME ROW
In addition to the leaders, high-level representatives from the cabinet and security bureaucracy of all three countries were also present at the worship at Masjid al-Haram.
From the Turkish delegation, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Head Ibrahim Kalin took their places in the prayer.
Pakistan was represented by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Marshal Asim Munir, while Foreign Minister Faysal bin Farhan Al Saud stood in the row for the Saudi delegation. This image of diplomatic and military staff standing side by side became the strongest symbol of regional cooperation ahead of the strategic agreement signed.