Muizzu absent from int’l media spotlight amid Arab-Islamic summit in Doha

As international media outlets closely cover the arrival of Arab and Islamic leaders in Doha for a high-profile emergency summit, it has been notably observed that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives is not being mentioned among the key figures attending.

The summit, convened in response to Israel’s recent and controversial attack targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar, has attracted global attention. Major regional and international outlets, including the Saudi-funded Al Arabiya, one of the most influential media platforms in the Middle East, have been extensively highlighting prominent attendees such as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

While the Maldivian leader arrived in Doha on Sunday to attend the summit, his presence has received little to no mention in international media coverage. This absence from the spotlight raises questions about the Maldives' diplomatic visibility and perceived influence within the broader Arab-Islamic geopolitical arena.

Monday’s emergency summit in Doha was urgently called following Israel’s deadly strike last week on Qatari territory, an unprecedented move that has drawn harsh condemnation across the Islamic world and beyond. Even former U.S. President Donald Trump joined the chorus of criticism, describing the attack as reckless and endangering relations with a key U.S. ally.

However, the current U.S. Secretary of State, while en route to Israel, stated publicly that the attack would not affect the "unshakeable" U.S.-Israel relationship, an indication that Washington remains committed to its traditional stance, despite growing global outcry.

The summit is expected to be a significant show of unity among Gulf and Islamic nations and is likely to increase international pressure on Israel, particularly amid mounting global criticism over its ongoing assault on Gaza. The war has triggered a deepening humanitarian crisis and has been condemned for its devastating impact on civilians.

Sunday’s ministerial-level discussions in preparation for the summit reportedly produced a draft resolution. The draft sharply condemns Israel’s attack on Qatar and broader actions in Gaza, asserting that these moves threaten efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Arab nations.

The resolution highlights what it terms as Israel's “hostile actions”, including genocide, siege, and illegal settlements, as major threats to peace in the region. It warns that these actions "endanger everything achieved so far in the path toward normalization," including both existing and prospective agreements.

Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, took a firm stance during Sunday’s preparatory meeting, calling on the international community to end its “double standard” approach and hold Israel accountable.

The Prime Minister of Qatar said that it is time for the international community to stop its double standard policy and punish Israel for all the crimes it has committed. He went on to describe Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as a “war of annihilation”, and said it is being enabled by the silence of the global community.

He added that Israel is encouraged to continue this because of the silence of the international community and its inability to hold Israel accountable.

As the summit unfolds, questions linger about the Maldives' diplomatic weight in such high-stakes international forums, and whether the absence of visibility in global coverage reflects a broader issue in the nation's foreign policy positioning under President Muizzu.