Praise is due to Allāh, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our master Muḥammad, the last of prophets, on his family, and all his companions.

The International Islamic Fiqh Academy follows with deep sorrow and strong condemnation what Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first direction in prayer, the third holy place, the destination of the night journey of the Prophet Mohammad, PBUH, and the starting point of his ascent to the heavens, is being subjected to, as abominable and nationalistic abuses committed by the criminal Zionist groups. These ostensibly armed, bloodthirsty, human rights-abusing groups are full of hatred and animosity towards anyone who contradicts them. The latest injustice occurred on Sunday, 7 Shawal 1430 hours/27 September 2009, when Zionist police forces, accompanied by their criminal cohorts, intruded into Al-Aqsa Mosque and attacked worshippers, including old men, women and children, in the mosque and its grounds. All this caused many serious injuries to the worshippers trying to defend the mosque that these criminals wanted to defile by celebrating their event called “the festival of forgiveness”. The latter is part of their objective to Judaize the holy city, conquer its holy mosque, rebuild the so-called Temple on its ruins, or at least continue to carry on their rites.

The Academy condemns this, on behalf of the scholars of the Ummah, in the strongest terms, to remind Muslims of their religious duty to defend Al-Aqsa Mosque from these repeated attacks by the Zionist occupation forces and to set a deadline for its liberation from their invasion and hatred. The same applies to the rights of the oppressed Palestinian people, who are subjected to the incessant harassment, torture and humiliation of the Zionist occupation forces. What the Muslim legislation commands the Muslim people in such a situation is to join the Palestinians in protecting the Holy City and its mosque from the attempts to Judaize it, and to allow them to raise their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. This is part of the struggle on the way of Allah and the triumph of the religion of Allah, as the Almighty says: « Go forth, whether light or heavy, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. That is better for you, if you only knew. » At-Tawba -41

« O you who have believed, if you support Allah, He will support you and plant firmly your feet. » Muhammad -7

Likewise, the Academy reminds the world of its universal human and legal duties regarding the preservation of human rights in all parts of the world, but especially that of the Palestinian people. It is indeed high time to enforce these laws and decrees specific to the Palestinian situation, and to do everything possible to grant the Palestinian people their full rights against the perpetrators.

The Academy also addresses all Palestinian organizations, calling on them to reject differences, unite their voice, unify ranks, and direct efforts towards one goal: to confront the occupation by all possible means so that it leaves the Holy Land, humiliated, without further delay, with the help and favor of Allah.

The Academy also reminds them that Palestinian people’s permanent division means the realization of their enemy’s greed over them and their land, which results in the loss of their rights and the sanctity of their land, may Allah never allow it.

The Academy also emphasizes the need to address the Zionist construction program on Palestinian lands, especially in Jerusalem, and to stop the injustice of demolishing the homes of these residents and trying to drive them out, which only increases the determination of these residents to stay there by all means. The Holy City is indeed a Palestinian, Arab, Muslim land, no injustice is tolerated there, it is a land that Allah Glorified be He, cited in the Quran in Sura Al-Isra and reminds Muslims of their obligation towards it. Let us take action to support the resignation of its inhabitants, let us act to recover its captive mosque and its invaded lands; the Almighty says: « And say, “Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so, will] His Messenger and the believers. » At-Tawba -105

And may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions.

Prof. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi

SG of IIFA