The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has once again condemned the recent Israeli aggression against the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, emphasizing that it is a holy site exclusively reserved for Muslim worship.
The Secretary General of the OIC, Hussein Ibrahim Taha, made the remarks during an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee on Saturday, which was convened to discuss the continued Israeli aggression on al-Aqsa. This followed the violent raid by Israeli forces against Palestinian worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan.
Taha stated that “Al-Quds 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.” He also denounced the brutal assault by Israeli forces on Palestinians performing Ramadan-related rituals in the compound, describing it as “a flagrant violation of the sanctity of holy sites, freedom of worship, as well as the Geneva Convention and relevant United Nations resolutions.”
Moreover, Taha criticized the policies of the occupying regime aimed at changing the status quo of the compound. He reiterated that any attempt to alter the historical and legal status of the holy sites, especially the al-Aqsa Mosque, has no legal effect and is null and void according to international law. He warned that these measures by Israeli forces will fuel tension, instability, and insecurity in the region, and held the occupying regime responsible for the consequences of these ‘dangerous’ crimes and violations.
On Tuesday night, dozens of heavily armed Israeli forces stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound before firing tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber-coated steel bullets into the Qibli prayer hall. Hundreds of men, women, elderly people, and children were staying overnight to pray. Israeli officers then beat worshippers with batons and riot guns, wounding many before arresting them. Videos from inside the mosque showed Israeli officers repeatedly hitting people with batons while they appeared to lie on the floor. Women and children’s cries for help could be heard in the background.
Source: Al-Manar
