The OIC Secretary-General renewed the Organization’s strong rejection and condemnation of all Israeli occupation’s policies and measures seeking to obliterate the identity of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, affirming that the City is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory and the capital of the State of Palestine, and that the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in its entirety, is the exclusive place of worship for Muslims.
In his speech to the extraordinary meeting, the secretary-General also renewed the OIC’s position on the happenings in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque. He stated that the meeting was being held at a time when conditions in Al-Quds Al-Shareef and its Islamic holy sites were deteriorating. This, he said, followed the escalation of blatant Israeli violations and attacks through the raiding of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque by occupation forces and extremist settlers and barbaric attacks against worshippers in the Mosque compound, injuring and arresting them in their hundreds. He described this as a flagrant violation of the sanctity of holy sites, freedom of worship, as well as the Geneva Convention and relevant United Nations resolutions.
The Secretary-General warned against any attempt to alter the historical and legal status of the Islamic and Christian holy sites, especially the blessed Al-Aqsa. He held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the implications of these dangerous crimes and violations which are capable of stoking violence, tension, instability and insecurity in the region.
Mr Taha reiterated that all Israeli decisions and policies aimed at altering the geographical, demographical standing of the City and undermining the historical and legal status of its holy sites are of no legal effect, null and void under international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
