ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top politicians on Thursday condemned Israel for closing the Al-Aqsa mosque’s compound to Palestinians and urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations to take stock of the situation, reasoning that the move violated religious freedom and basic human rights.
On Tuesday, Israeli forces prevented Al-Aqsa mosque’s leader’s call for prayer and attacked Palestinians who had gathered outside “Bab Al-Asbat” to pray. Bab Al- Asbat is one of the main gates of the compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, which houses Al-Aqsa — the third holiest site in Islam.
“We strongly condemn Israeli aggression against innocent Palestinians and the forceful closure of Al-Aqsa mosque’s compound. This is inhuman and a clear violation of the UN charter for freedom of religion,” Omar Cheema, the ruling party’s secretary-information, told Arab News.
He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the government would raise the issue at all appropriate forums to “expose the atrocities of Israelis against Palestinians” who have been struggling against the Israeli occupation.
“We stand by our Palestinian brothers and urge the UN and other so-called champions of human rights to take notice of the closure of the mosque – a sacred place which is close to the heart of every Muslim,” he said.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem — where the mosque is located — during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. It annexed the entire city in 1980 in a move which was never recognized by the international community. Since then, Israeli forces have been trying to prevent Palestinians from offering their prayers at the mosque.
Things took a turn for the worse when on Tuesday some Palestinians — who had gathered to pray outside the compound — were attacked by the Israelis who pushed them out before closing the gates, alleging that they had set fire to a police station inside the compound. Earlier on Saturday, an Israeli police officer was filmed entering the mosque while refusing to take off his boots.
Chief of Jamat-e-Islami (JeI) Senator, Siraj-ul-Haq said that the OIC should call an emergency meeting over the situation and send a “unanimous message” to Israel from all Muslim countries over the closure of the mosque.
“Israel has been doing all this against Palestinians with tacit support of some major countries of the world, but we warn them all to back off for the sake of peace,” he told Arab News.
He added that the JeI would also contact its members across the word to raise the issue of Israeli aggression against Palestinians at all international forums. “Israel is an illegitimate state in the Middle East and we won’t allow it regulate our religious rituals and worship places like Al-Aqsa mosque,” he said.
The recent closure of the mosque has also sparked a social media frenzy as people across the globe took to the micro-blogging websites to vent out their anger against the Israeli forces. #KickOutTheIsraeliAmbassador was the top trending hashtag on Wednesday morning in the Middle East.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senator Mushahidullah Khan said that the Israeli occupation of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian territory reflected the failure of the UN and other global bodies which are mandated to ensure peace by resolving the conflicts.
“Israel-Palestine conflict has become a flashpoint in the heart of the Middle East which can put peace of the whole region at stake anytime,” he told Arab News. “The forceful closure of Al-Aqsa mosque is one example of it and Israel is virtually calling for the wrath of the Muslim world by resorting to such silly tactics.”
Pakistan urges UN, global Islamic body to reopen Al-Aqsa mosque for Palestinians
Pakistan urges UN, global Islamic body to reopen Al-Aqsa mosque for Palestinians
- Politicians vow to stand by the cause and ask Israel to shun violence
- Seek to highlight issue at all international forums
Pakistan joins 22 Muslim states, OIC to condemn Israeli FM’s visit to Somaliland
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited breakaway African region of Somaliland on January 6
- Muslim states urge Israel to withdraw Somaliland recognition, respect Somalia’s sovereignty
ISLAMABAD: A joint statement by Pakistan, 22 other Muslim states and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday condemned Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s recent visit to Somaliland as a violation of the African nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Saar’s visit to Somaliland capital Hargeisa on Jan. 6 followed Israel’s move last month to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region from Somalia, as an independent country. The move drew a sharp reaction from Muslim states, including Pakistan, who said it was in contravention of the UN Charter and international norms.
Several international news outlets months earlier reported that Israel had contacted Somaliland over the potential resettlement of Palestinians forcibly removed from Gaza. Muslim countries fear Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region could be part of its plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza to the region.
“The said visit constitutes a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and undermines established international norms and the United Nations Charter,” the joint statement shared by Pakistan’s foreign office, read.
The joint statement was issued on behalf of 23 Muslim states, including Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Türkiye, Oman and others.
It reaffirmed support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, pointing out that respect for international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states was necessary for regional stability.
“Encouraging secessionist agendas are unacceptable and risk exacerbating tensions in an already fragile region,” the statement said.
The joint statement urged Israel to revoke its recognition of the breakaway region.
“Israel should fully respect Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity and honor its obligations in compliance with international law, and demand immediate revocation of the recognition issued by Israel,” the statement read.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia unilaterally in 1991 as a civil war raged in the country. Somaliland has its own constitution, parliament and currency, a move that has infuriated Somalia over the years as it insists the region is part of its territory.
