Press Release
Of H.E. Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, OIC secretary-general
on the condition of religious and historical sites in the city of Al Quds Al-Sharif
Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, expressed his grave concern at the deteriorating condition of religious and historical sites in the City of Al Quds Al Sharif as a result of the Israeli practices, particularly the excavations which the Israeli occupation authorities are making underneath the Blessed Al Aqsa Mosque and the walls of the Old City at the Holy City.
The Secretary-General stated that Al Quds Al Sharif is treasured by all Muslims and contains the first Qibla and the third holy mosque. It also commands the attention of the Organization of the Islamic Conference which will spare no effort to preserve the Islamic historical and religious identity of Al Quds Al Sharif, including the restoration and maintenance of its religious and historical sites. The Secretary-General drew attention to the recent dangerous Israeli declarations concerning the fissures in the walls surrounding the Old City as a new attempt on the part of Israel to interfere in the affairs of the Islamic endowments (Awqaf) and to alter the identity of the City of Al Quds with a view to falsifying its history and changing and judaizing its landmarks.
The Secretary-General also requested the international community to assume its responsibility in compelling Israel to abide by the international laws which prevent it from changing the geographical aspects of Al Quds and tarnish its historical sites, and to put an end to the aggressions against the Holy City as a result of Israeli siege, isolation and settlement.
Jeddah : 20 November 2005
Document Sources: Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
Subject: Holy places, Jerusalem
Publication Date: 20/11/2005