ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Monday condemned Israel for targeting unarmed worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem during a meeting in Jeddah.

The open-ended extraordinary meeting of the OIC executive committee was held in the Saudi port city to discuss the ongoing Israeli violence against Muslims.

“Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh Condemns the Israeli Aggression against Al-Aqsa Mosque at the Meeting of OIC Executive Committee,” Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to OIC said in twitter post on Tuesday.

In a statement at the meeting, Sheikh strongly condemned “attacks on innocent worshippers in Al-Aqsa Mosque by the Israeli occupation forces.”

“The Final Communique issued by the meeting condemned in the strongest terms the ongoing incursions of the extremist colonialists into Al-Aqsa Mosque, with the protection and support of Israeli forces,” the statement said.

Sheikh reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support to the Palestinian cause and expressed concern over Israel’s actions.

“Condemning the widespread and systematic Israeli crimes against unarmed Palestinian people, he [ambassador] emphasized the importance and urgency of ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine, which was the root cause of all systematic violations against human rights and freedom of Palestinians,” the statement continued.

Pakistan’s permanent OIC representative urged the international community to take immediate steps to protect innocent Palestinian lives.

In recent weeks, Israeli forces have killed dozens and injured countless Palestinians in the occupied East Jerusalem and other areas.

On April 15, Israeli security forces raided Al-Aqsa Mosque compound where thousands of Palestinians had gathered for prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.

The clashes took place at a particularly sensitive time since Ramadan this year coincided with Passover, a major weeklong Jewish holiday, and Christian holy week that culminated in Easter Sunday.