Desk News
The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly condemned the extremist settlers’ storming of the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces, and the continuation of their daily attacks on Palestinian citizens.
The OIC General Secretariat further considers this dangerous escalation an assault on the sanctity of the holy sites and freedom of worship, and a flagrant violation of international law, the Geneva Conventions and relevant United Nations resolutions.
While reaffirming that the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Holy Mosque in its entirety, is a pure place of worship for Muslims, the OIC called on the active parties of the international community to assume their responsibilities towards pressuring Israel, the occupying power, to stop these repeated attacks and violations, respect the sanctity of the holy sites, and preserve the legal and historical status of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.
How can any Jews anywhere have a "Happy Passover" while this is going on?
We have a lot to talk about at our seder tonight. https://t.co/vJoiz9auth— Rabbi David Mivasair🔥 (@Mivasair) April 5, 2023
UAE condemnation
The UAE has strongly denounced the recent storming of Al Aqsa Mosque by Israeli police, which resulted in the assault of worshippers and the arrest of several individuals. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) released a statement reaffirming their unwavering stance on the need to provide complete protection for Al Aqsa Mosque and cease all serious and provocative violations occurring there.
Additionally, the UAE emphasized that it is not acceptable for worshippers to barricade themselves inside the mosque or any other place of worship with weapons or explosives.
The UAE stressed the importance of respecting the custodial role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan over the holy sites in line with international law and the historical context of the area. It is also imperative not to compromise the authority of the Jerusalem endowment, which is responsible for the management of affairs at Al Aqsa Mosque.
Further, the UAE has called upon Israeli authorities to desist from escalating the situation and refrain from exacerbating tensions and instability in the region. They emphasized their opposition to any practice that violates international legitimacy and could lead to increased escalation.
The UAE recognizes the importance of supporting all regional and international efforts toward advancing the peace process in the Middle East. They also called for an end to illegal practices that threatened the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the 1967 borders.
The UAE continues to support all efforts toward promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and encourages all parties involved to exercise restraint and uphold international law.
Imran Khan calls upon Muslim Ummah to raise voices against Islamophobia
Taking to Twitter, the popular social media platform, the ousted prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, called upon the Muslim Ummah to counter Islamophobia. “We welcome the OIC General Secretariat statement. The Muslim Ummah should raise their voice against the torture of Muslims and Islamophobia.”
ہم او آئی سی (OIC) کے اس بیان کا خیرمقدم کرتے ہیں۔ عالمی برادری اسلاموفوبیا اور مسلمانوں پر ظلم و ستم کیخلاف اقدامات اٹھائے! pic.twitter.com/r7UWyFvzcV
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 5, 2023
“The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has followed with deep concerns the acts of violence and vandalism targeting Muslims communities in several states in India during the Ram Navami processions including the burning of a Madrassa and its library by an extremist Hindu mob in Bihar Sharif on 31 March 2023,” the OIC state read.
“The OIC Secretariat denounces such provocative acts of violence and vandalism which are a vivid manifestation of mounting Islamophobia and the systematic targeting of the Muslim community in India. The OIC General Secretariat calls upon the Indian authorities to take firm action against the instigators and perpetrators of such acts to ensure the safety, security, rights, and dignity of the Muslim community in India.” The OIC General Secretariat statement concluded.