Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani Leaders Perform Friday Prayer Together in Mecca

The leaders of three influential Muslim-majority countries performed Friday prayers together in the holy city of Mecca, in a symbolic display of growing ties among Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered the Jumu'ah prayer side by side at Qasr Al-Safa, a royal palace located near the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Erdoğan are currently visiting Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, as well as senior Saudi and Turkish officials and diplomatic representatives, were also present during the prayer.

Diplomatic analysts say the joint prayer symbolically reflects the growing momentum in strategic, economic and defence relations among Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan in recent years.

The high-profile gathering is also being viewed as significant amid efforts by the three countries to expand bilateral relations and coordinate more closely on regional security issues.

The joint appearance of the three leaders at the holy site comes as Riyadh, Ankara and Islamabad seek to deepen strategic cooperation and strengthen their coordination on issues affecting the wider Muslim world and the region.