In the Name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful

Statement on Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa Mosque

Praise is due to Allāh, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the last of prophets, on his family, all his companions, and whoever follow their footsteps with righteousness until the Day of Judgment. It is quite evident that the extremist Zionists organizations in Palestine, which have increased to over thirty, have come to feel strong and overrate their abil- ity to achieve their elusive aggressive plans of destroying Al-Aqsa Mosque, and establishing the so-called Solomon’s Temple on its ruins. Zionist organizations are now looking for justifications and excuses to launching their aggressive at- tack against Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first Qibla of Muslim and the third holiest Mosque. They made several attempts to break into the courtyards of this blessed mosque to perform their religious rituals there and seize the chance to achieve

their aggressive goals.

The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, holding its 16th session in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 30 Ṣafar – 5 Rabīʿ al-Awwal 1426h (9–14 April 2005),

Having heard the aggressive statements and oppressive plans issued by the extremists and official leaders of Israel regarding Al-Quds City in general, and Al-Aqsa Mosque in particular,

Resolves

1. Al-Quds City and Al-Aqsa Mosque are sacred places for Muslims world- wide due to their direct relation with the Midnight Heavenly Journey of the Prophet Muhammad SAW that is specifically reported in the Holy
2. The Islamic character of this holy city and its blessed Mosque is a fact that has been clearly demonstrated by the texts of the Holy Quran and divine Therefore, the standpoint of Muslims is neither revocable nor subject to bargaining or midway solutions. The Ummah has unanimously resolved that it is not permissible to leave an invading enemy to stay in any part of the Muslims’ lands in general and sacred places in particular.
3. Al-Aqsa Mosque belongs to Muslims alone, and the Jews have nothing to do with it. They should be warned of the consequences of exposing their sacredness to danger. Muslims put the entire responsibility of any aggression against Al-Aqsa on the occupying Israeli authority and coun-

tries which support it. The Academy declares that Al-Aqsa can never be subject to negotiations and concessions and that nobody would be able to degrade its loftiness.

4. Equitable peace and stability can never be achieved in the region without ending the Jewish occupation to Al-Quds City and its Holy Mosque and returning Palestine to its
5. The Palestinian people have the right to establish their independent state on all their lands, including Al-Quds as its capital Palestinians have, also, the right of defending themselves, fighting their enemy with all lawful means and facilitating the return of their refugees back to their homeland.

Finally, the Academy calls upon the governments and peoples of the Arab and Muslim countries to bear their religious and national historical respon- sibilities in defending this captive city and its Holy Mosque and in standing by its resisting people and preserving their existence. Support to Palestinians should include enhancing and helping their health, education and other social infrastructure institutions, resisting any attempt to judaize or internationalize Al-Quds City, which cannot be tolerated under any circumstances and working hard for ending the Israeli occupation over the land of the Midnight Heavenly Journey of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Indeed, Allāh is the Giver of Success.