By Buba Gagigo
During the 15th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in The Gambia, leaders of the OIC strongly condemned the aggressive actions of the Israeli occupation targeting Islamic and Christian holy sites in Al-Quds, along with its unlawful measures violating the freedom of worship and the sanctity of these revered places.
In their final communiqué, the OIC reiterated condemnation of Israeli aggression in Al-Quds, emphasizing the importance of respecting the legal status of holy sites, particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as a Muslim place of worship under the exclusive management of the Jordanian Administration of the Endowments of Al-Quds. The conference reaffirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause and Al-Quds Al-Sharif for the Muslim Ummah, pledging unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination and the establishment of an independent State of Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
“The Conference condemned the Israeli occupation’s aggressions on the Islamic and Christian sanctities in Al-Quds and its illegal measures that violate the right to freedom of worship and the sanctity of the holy sites; affirmed the necessity of respecting the existing legal status of the holy sites, especially the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque with its entire area of 144 acres, as an exclusive place of worship for Muslims only, and that the Jordanian Administration of the Endowments of Al-Quds and the Affairs of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque is the body having the exclusive authority to manage and maintain the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as regulate entry into it, as part of the historical Hashemite guardianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Al-Quds,” OIC mentioned in their final communiqué.
The conference reiterated the paramount importance of the Palestinian cause and Al-Quds Al-Sharif for the Muslim Ummah, pledging unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights, including self-determination and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Additionally, they reaffirmed the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes in accordance with Resolution 194 and condemned any denial of these rights.
“It also reaffirmed the need to protect the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes in accordance with Resolution 194 and to roundly counter any denial of these rights,” they stated in the communique.
The leaders of the OIC reiterated their support for the State of Palestine’s complete sovereignty over Al-Quds Al-Sharif, recognizing it as its eternal capital. They strongly oppose any Israeli actions or policies aimed at altering its character and imposing colonial control, asserting such endeavors as illegitimate under international law and UN resolutions.
Emphasizing the importance of preserving the Arab identity of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and safeguarding its Islamic and Christian holy sites, they condemn any recognition of Al-Quds as Israel’s capital, considering it a violation of Palestinian and Islamic rights. Furthermore, the Conference denounced the ongoing genocide perpetrated by Israeli forces against Palestinians in Gaza and the broader Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif. They condemned Israel’s tactics of displacement through violence, blockade, and destruction of civilian infrastructure, leading to significant loss of life and widespread suffering among Palestinians, with casualties numbering over 34,500 deaths and 77,500 injuries.
“The majority of whom are women and children, in addition to the displacement of over 1.7 million Palestinians from their homes; called for an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire, the cessation of the Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people in Gaza, and the immediate implementation of the UNSC Resolution 2728 (2024), as well as for providing humanitarian and medical aid and relief, providing water, electricity and shelter, and opening humanitarian corridors through all possible means for the unhindered and adequate delivery of urgent assistance to the Gaza Strip; and called for compliance with UNSC Resolution 2720 (2023) demanding immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip,” they stated in their final communiqué.