Fortieth anniversary of occupation of Al Quds – Call for Islamic pact on Al Quds and Palestine – OIC communiqué/Non-UN document

COMMUNIQUE OF THE OIC

The OIC calls for considering 5 June 2007 to 5 June 2008 a year for saving al Quds and developing an Islamic pact to support it

The 40^th anniversary of the occupation of Al Quds and the Palestinian and Arab territories at the hands of the Israeli aggression at the June 1967 setback will be marked within days.

On this painful occasion, the Muslim Ummah recalls this great loss. It also remembers the atrocious hostilities against properties, people and the natural environment in the holy Arab city of Al Quds Al-Sharif, as well as the incessant afflictions, evils and violations of the international law and the international humanitarian law that prohibit and criminalize the occupation of territories by force. At the same time, the Ummah recalls the religious, historical and civilizational obligations of all Muslim officials and people everywhere vis-à-vis this city which hosts Al Aqsa Mosque, the place of the faithful’s longing, the first Qiblah and the third Holy Mosque blessed by God.

No doubt, the city of Al Quds, which was built by Arab Jebusites and lived under the Islamic rule the best and most glorious days of its centuries-long history, has recently been subject to a fierce and systematic campaign to displace its people, efface its character and isolate it from its Arab, Islamic and historical environment. This campaign aims also to isolate the city with separation walls and settlements that distort its environment, strangle its suburbs and close up its horizons. Worse, the numerous ongoing excavations underneath the city have also started to seriously threaten the foundations of its holy places and monuments. All this is taking place in flagrant defiance of international legitimacy and in total disregard for the civilizational and historical considerations and for the laws which enjoy the consensus of the entire humanity.

It is this reality that makes the Organization of the Islamic Conference, which was established to rescue Al Quds and Palestine, bring to mind this decisive cause which the present generation of Muslims must advocate so that Al Quds and the occupied Palestinian territories are not lost in the midst of the myriads of Muslim world events, in the hope that recalling this event might profit the believers.

International law, the course of history and international legitimacy stand on our side and speak of the justice of our demand. For no right is lost so long as it is claimed, no matter how long it may take. It should always be remembered that the occupation of Al Quds and the occupied territories in 1967 is a violation of the international law and the international humanitarian law, as confirmed by the numerous UN resolutions. Al Quds Al-Sharif has always been part and parcel of the occupied Palestinian territories covered by these resolutions that prohibit the occupation of territories by force. These resolutions should be advocated, upheld and implemented.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference appeals to all to declare this year the year of Al Quds and Palestine, a year in which all capabilities and events should be utilized to revive the spirits using all media and publicity outlets available at the international level. This year should be an occasion to agree on an Islamic Pact to advocate the cause of Al Quds in a practical manner through countering Israel’s attempts to judaize the city on the one hand, and, on the other, launching concrete initiatives to create an impact and change the status quo to ensure the respect of the historical and demographic character of this city.

This Pact should make every Muslim individual responsible for setting Al Quds Al-Sharif free from the shackles of Zionist policies and saving it from the illegitimate Israeli occupation. Endeavours should be made to achieve this goal at all levels through political and other forms of struggle in international decision-making circles, implementing the relevant international treaties and agreements, and preserving the remaining part of this city in the hands of its Arab and Muslim population through support, restoration, reconstruction and defending the ownership of Arab and Islamic landed properties, including Muslim endowments (waqfs).

There is need also to hold an all-inclusive Islamic meeting to rescue Al Quds, which will endorse this Islamic Pact and identify its goals and objectives with the participation of Muslim States’ governments and the Arab and Islamic civil society organizations from all parts of the Muslim world. The aim is to keep the Pact of Al Quds alive in the heart and mind of every Muslim individual until Al Quds Al-Sharif is restored to its Muslim and Arab people and becomes the capital of the independent and truly sovereign Palestinian State.

Jeddah,   4June 2007