JEDDAH (UNA-OIC) – The Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr Saleh Bin Hamad Suhaibani affirmed the awareness of Muslims in all parts of the world that the Palestinian brothers in Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque are exposed to the daily Israeli attacks and provocations practised against the fasting and peaceful worshipers.
He indicated that the Palestinian people suffer significantly from the scourge of these attacks and, unfortunately, are still suffering to obtain their most important and legitimate rights to establish security, safety and peace.
This was contained in his opening statement at the opening session of the open-ended extraordinary meeting of the OIC Executive Committee at the level of Permanent Representatives to discuss the ongoing Israeli aggression against the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, held at the OIC General Secretariat today, 25 April 2022 at the request of the Republic of Indonesia in coordination with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The meeting was presided over by Saudi Arabia, chair of the 14th Islamic Summit.
“The Kingdom renews the continuation of the firm and permanent Saudi position on this important central issue, within the framework of its support for the international efforts for the issues of the Arab and Islamic nation. It also reaffirms its continuous support for the Palestinian people stemming from its deep belief in the importance of the just Palestinian cause and the need to unite and intensify international efforts to end this protracted conflict and enhance the stability of the entire region,” Al-Suhaibani said. “History repeats itself; when Muslims continue to fast, pray and observe i’tikaaf in all parts of the world and are preparing to celebrate the blessed Eid al-Fitr, the Palestinian brothers, particularly the worshipers in Al-Aqsa Mosque, are exposed to various types of provocations and Israeli attacks.”
He added that: “At the same time and place where the sound of the takbeer of Al-Aqsa Mosque calling for peace, safety, tranquillity, and reverence are raised, we find the Israeli guns pointed to the elderly and women, in a flagrant violation of the principles of international humanitarian law that guarantees them freedom of worship and prayer, as well as a blatant violation of the decisions of the Council Security and the United Nations General Assembly.”
Al-suhaibani indicated that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud had declared during his presidency of the 29th Arab Summit in Dhahran that “Palestine is our first cause and Palestine, and its people are in the conscience of Arab and Muslims.” He reiterated at the same time, “this will continue to be so until the brotherly Palestinian people get all their legitimate rights, notably the establishment of the State of Palestine. The cause of Palestine is the essential pillar of the OIC work and the focus of our attention until the brotherly people of Palestine enjoy all their rights guaranteed by resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab peace initiative.”
Dr Suhaibani stated that while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly condemns and denounces the repeated and provocative Israeli onslaught and aggression against worshipers in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, it persistently calls on the international community to act effectively to assume its role in holding Israeli occupation forces fully responsible for those crimes and violations and their negative repercussion on the chances to revive the peace process, as the provocative acts threaten to ignite conflict in the region.
