OIC condemns Houthi drone attack on Mecca, urges Nigerian Muslims to stay vigilant

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned a Houthi‑launched drone that was intercepted by Saudi air defences while heading toward Mecca on Tuesday evening, 15 September 2026. In a statement, the OIC called the assault "heinous" and said it constituted terrorism that seeks to frighten civilians, desecrate holy sites and inflame Muslim sentiments worldwide. The Saudi‑led coalition spokesman, Turki al‑Maliki, confirmed the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces shot down the hostile unmanned aircraft before it entered the restricted airspace around the holy city. The Houthis have denied targeting Mecca, insisting their operations stay away from sacred locations. This matters to Nigeria because millions of Nigerian Muslims look to Mecca as the spiritual centre of Islam and many perform Hajj or Umrah each year. Any threat to the safety of the holy cities raises concerns for pilgrims and could affect travel plans, visa processing and the cost of religious trips. As an OIC member state, Nigeria’s voice in the organisation’s response also shapes how the collective Muslim world reacts to such provocations. Nigerian Muslims should stay informed through official channels such as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs for any travel advisories or safety updates. While Saudi authorities have thwarted this attack, the incident underscores the need to verify information before sharing on social media and to support peaceful dialogue rather than retaliatory rhetoric. Will you double‑check travel alerts before planning your next pilgrimage, and how will you contribute to calm, fact‑based conversations within your community?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/16/war-oic-reacts-as-houthi-forces-attack-holy-city-of-mecca/