OIC Secretary General The sad 43rd anniversary of the attempt to burn the Al-Aqsa Mosque comes amid continued Israeli violations and repeated desecrations of the forecourts of the blessed first “qibla” by Israeli extremists, and growing calls by extremists for the destruction of the Mosque and the erection of the alleged temple in its place. The anniversary also comes at a time when the occupied city of Al-Quds is being subjected to a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing designed to drive out its indigenous population and replace them by, in grave breach of international law. On this anniversary, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) reaffirms that the safety of the holy sites of Al-Quds is of paramount importance to all Muslims, and is an integral part of peace and security in the region. Thus, Israel, the occupying power, bears full responsibility for the safety of the holy places it occupies, knowing that International agreements and treaties, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibit the occupying State from committing acts of aggression againstholy places or denying worshippers access to these places. The Convention also bans the alteration of the landmarks of the city, population composition and urban structure, or any aggression against its historical monuments. Given continued Israeli violations against the city,the OIC, whose creation was the direct outcome of the issue ofAl-Quds , calls on the international community to force Israel, the occupying power, to abide by international law, and cease its violations against the occupied city and respect itsholy sites. The OIC reaffirms the consistent position of the Islamic Ummah vis-à-vis the city of Al-Quds and the protection of its Arab and Islamic identity, and renews its call onmember states to continue all forms of support and assistance to the city of Al-Quds, guided by the Strategic Sector Plan, which sets out the priority sectorsto be financed in the city.
