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

The Situation in Palestine (particularly the attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque), Iraq, Somalia, and Sudan

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, and all his companions,

The International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of the Islamic Conference held its 19th session in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, from 1–5 Jumādā al-Ūlā 1430, corresponding to 26–30 April 2009. As a legal and juris- prudential reference for the Ummah, and given its responsibilities and duties towards its challenges and dangers, particularly with regard to Palestine, Iraq, Somalia and Sudan, the Academy endorses the following:

First: Palestine and Al-Aqsa Mosque

The International Islamic Fiqh Academy condemns all the sufferings of the Palestinian people engaged in a fierce conflict with the brutal and arrogant Zionist enemy that does not respect the most basic human rights, especially at the recent aggression against the Gaza Strip.

Acts of displacement, starvation, loss of security, siege and killing did not dis- tinguish between the elderly, children, women, and disabled people, with cuts to necessary supplies that meet the minimum human needs for food and medicine. In the face of these heinous crimes, the Council calls upon countries of the world and countries of the Muslim world in particular to fulfill their legal, fra- ternal and humanitarian duty to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people

and provide them with the basis for their survival and needs.

The International Islamic Fiqh Academy also appeals to all factions of the Palestinian people and the components of its civil society to unite their ranks and position towards the situation in Palestine to avoid repeating mistakes, pre- serve rights and put an end to colonization by all possible means. The Academy also urges the international community to act decisively and effectively to pre- vent the colonization from continuing its brutal practices and terrorist activities. The Academy also expresses its deep concern and caution against the ju- daization of the city of Jerusalem in an attempt to erase its Arab and Islamic identity and to demolish Al-Aqsa Mosque and harass the original inhabitants

of Jerusalem, including Muslims and Christians.

The Academy emphasizes that the city of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque are sacred to all Muslims around the world because Al-Aqsa Mosque is the first qi-

bla (prayer direction) of Muslims, the station of the Prophet’s SAW night journey and ascent to the heavenly skies.

The Academy also emphasizes that Al-Aqsa Mosque belongs to Muslims alone and that Jews have nothing to do with it. Attention must be paid to the dangers of violating the sanctity of this Mosque. The Academy holds the colonization authorities and the countries that support it responsible for any attack against Al-Aqsa and the city of Jerusalem.

The Academy calls upon all leaders and peoples of the Arab and Muslim world to support the oppressed Palestinian people and to assume their religious, national and historical responsibilities in defending the city of Jerusalem and its blessed Mosque, and to stand with its people who are in a state of resistance, and to prevent the judaization or internationalization of the city, which is un- acceptable in all circumstances.

Second: Republic of Iraq

The International Islamic Fiqh Academy calls upon all the Iraqi people to par- ticipate in a serious and sincere action aimed at preserving the unity, independ- ence and sovereignty of Iraq and its territory and to achieve a positive balance between all components of the Iraqi people and its factions.

The Academy also urges the Iraqi people to achieve national reconciliation based on tolerance and respect for the rights of all, to end the presence of foreign forces, and restore Iraq’s strategic role in the Arab and Muslim world.

Third: Somalia

With regard to what is happening in Somalia, the Academy appeals to the Somali people, the President, the government, calling for sincere reconciliation and an end to the fighting and divisions, and placing the supreme interest of the Somali people above their private interests and invites them not to miss this opportunity for reconciliation under the shadow of a legitimate government.

Furthermore, the Academy urges them to reject calls that are tearing apart unity and dispersing the sincere efforts that Somalia needs at this crucial stage in its history. It also calls on Somalis to unite and regain peace and stability and to restore what has been ruined by the war.

In this regard, the Academy strongly denounces the actions of pirates on the Somali coast and other acts of maritime piracy, which constitute a threat to the safety of navigation and the Red Sea. The Academy affirms that such acts of piracy are considered a crime in Islamic jurisprudence.

Fourth: Republic of Sudan

The Academy denounces the accusations of the International Criminal Court against the President of the Republic of Sudan, General Omar al-Bashir, as he seeks to restore security and stability in Sudan. At the same time, the world turns a blind eye to crimes against humanity committed in Gaza, the West Bank and other parts of the world. This reflects the double standard and selectivity of the International Criminal Court. The Academy calls for an end to this double standard policy.

The Academy stresses the need to address the Darfur issue based on Sudan’s unity and full sovereignty of its territory.

The Academy expresses its support for the blessed efforts of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, with the support of H.E. Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the OIC, in combating these and other economic, political and security issues.

The Academy also expresses its supports for the efforts of all Muslim coun- tries in these areas, hoping to multiply and expand these efforts.

We ask Allāh to protect our Ummah from all evil and guide it to its right direction, for Allāh is the Guardian of Success.