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

Israeli Aggressions against 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, and all his companions,

The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, holding its 21st session in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 15–19 Muḥarram 1435h (18–22 November 2013),

In its capacity as a reference institution of the Ummah in the area of Fiqh, Conscious of its responsibilities towards the Ummah and the great chal- lenges and dangers it is facing nowadays, particularly the terrifying attacks of

the Israelis against Al-Quds City and Al-Aqsa Mosque, Emphasizes the following:

• Al-Aqsa Mosque is a sacred symbol to which every Muslim has the utmost sense of love and longing and the jewel that adorns the forehead of Al-Quds City and It is the first of the two qiblas (Muslims prayer direction) and the third of the three Mosques which Muslims are not supposed to set in travel for the mere sake of performing prayer in any mosque other than them. Furthermore, Al-Aqsa mosque is the sacred place that witnessed the “Midnight Journey” of the Prophet Muhammad SAW and his “Ascension” to the “Seven Heavens.” The Quran indicates the incident of the Midnight Journey in the following verse: «Glory to Allāh Who did take His servant for a jour- ney by night from the sacred mosque to the farthest mosque whose precincts We did bless in order that We might show him some of Our signs for He is the One Who hearth and seeth (all things).» (Al-Isrāʾ, 1) This verse shows clearly the everlasting link between the Sacred Mosque and the Farthest Mosque which the Quran emphasizes, a fact which makes it incumbent upon Muslims to have much interest in this blessed Mosque.
• Al-Aqsa Mosque and its sacred city are facing now sinful and persistent ag- gression by the Israeli occupation, which strives to judaize the holy city and spread its complete control over Al-Aqsa Mosque through aggressive acts. In the course of achieving its judaizing plan, the Israeli invasion resorts to the seizure of lands and expansion of settlement areas; destruction of hous- es of Palestinians; conducting digging works that have reached the founda- tions of the mosque and are about to lead to its complete collapse; abuse of monuments; and origination of Jewish temples in the holy city to be-

come part of the points from which Jewish settlers invade Al-Aqsa Mosque and commit their brutal assaults against Muslims citizens. The occupation authority continued its aggression against Al-Aqsa Mosque by preparing plans to get it shared between Muslims and Jews time or space-wise. Such arrangements, which are done in pursuit of the final aim of establishing the contended “Temple,” are repeatedly emphasized through official decla- rations and discussions, in one of the Israeli parliament committees, on a draft law to be issued to this effect.

• Being conscious of these severe dangers surrounding Al-Quds City, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and many other sacred places, the Council of the Academy calls upon all states, governments, and the entire Ummah to face these dan- gers and work for them stopping them through political and legal action in all regional and international fora. In order to augment the impact of the steadfastness and courage of Al-Quds people, Muslim countries and governments are also called upon to provide moral and material support to Al-Quds people. Material support should cover diverse areas of social and economic life, particularly housing requirements. Furthermore, the Council urges Arab countries to honor as soon as possible their pledges to provide support to Al-Quds people, which they announced in various Arab summits.
• The Council of the Academy appreciates the efforts of those who are sta- tioned in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque to defend it against all types of Zionist aggression and extend its thanks to OIC and Arab League Member states and Al-Quds Committee for the efforts they make in order to pre- serve sacred places in the holy Thanks are also due to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for its outstanding efforts and tangible support to the Palestinian problem in general and to Al-Quds City and Al-Aqsa Mosque in particular.

Finally, the Council appreciates the Kingdom’s position manifested in its non-acceptance of the International Security Council seat to show its denial to the indifference of the international community towards the just Palestinian issue and the ordeal of Al-Quds City and Al-Aqsa Mosque. This position of the Kingdom constitutes an essential step along the path of pursuing reform of the International Security Council.

Moreover, the Council thanks the King, government and people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for supervision, sponsorship and support they extend to the Islamic sanctities in Al-Quds.

Finally, the Council thanks all institutions, organizations, committees, soci- eties, and other bodies supporting Al-Quds City and perseverance of its people

until abatement of occupation of this sacred land. «Allāh will certainly aid those who aid his (cause); for verily Allāh is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).» (Al-Ḥajj, 22–40)