Jerusalem: Today marks the 57th anniversary of the 1969 arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, amid rising tensions from ongoing actions by extremist settler groups shielded by Israeli forces. These actions include daily entry into the mosque's courtyards, performance of Talmudic rituals, flag raisings, excavations beneath its foundations, and restrictions on worshipper access, all aimed at altering the legal and historical status of Islamic and Christian sites in Jerusalem.
According to Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, on this solemn occasion, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha stressed Jerusalem's significance as the capital of Palestine and a vital part of the 1967-occupied territories. He underscored the importance of respecting Muslim rights and their enduring bond with Al-Aqsa Mosque, affirming its role as a Muslim-exclusive place of worship.
The Secretary-General emphasized that Israel, as the occupying power, lacks sovereignty over Jerusalem and its holy sites. He declared null and void all measures by Israel to change the city's political and legal status or to Judaise it, in violation of international law and UN resolutions. He held the Israeli occupation accountable for ongoing violations against worship freedoms and holy site sanctity, warning of potential religious conflict.
The Secretary-General reaffirmed the Organisation's commitment to holding the international community responsible for ensuring Israel halts its violations in Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. He called for preserving the historical and legal status of holy sites, respecting their sanctity, and supporting Palestinian sovereignty within the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital.