In its emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Jerusalem, Muslim Council of Elders (MCE) declares:
- Silence in the face of Zionist terrorism poses a threat the world peace
- Strict measures are necessary to stop the violations of the Israeli occupation against Al-Aqsa Mosque
- We support Al-Azhar International Conference on Jerusalem and call upon all concerned institutions, organizations, and bodies to take part in it
- We warn against regional calls that seek to exploit the events of Jerusalem to instigate protests and demonstrations during Hajj. Certainly, these calls have some political and sectarian purposes
On Monday, Dhul-Qi‘da 8, 1438 AH/July 31, 2017 CE, the Muslim Council of Elders (MCE) headed by His Eminence the Grand Imam Professor Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Chairman of the MCE, held an emergency meeting in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi to discuss the Zionist violations against Al-Aqsa Mosque and the civilian unarmed people of Palestine. The meeting agenda also discussed the procedures of Israeli occupation to judaize Jerusalem, the temporal and spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the malicious attempts to dominate it.
The MCE affirms that it has been deeply affected – like Muslims and liberty supporters all over the world – by the Zionist terrorism against Al-Aqsa Holy Mosque, Palestinians and religious leaders of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The MCE strongly condemns the Zionist violations, which pose a threat to the world peace. The MCE calls leaders of Muslim and Arab countries, as well as local and international organizations and bodies, to take actions in order to stop the Zionist terrorism and prevent the repetition of any provocative actions conducted by Israeli occupation against the First Qibla and Third Holiest Sanctuary in Islam. The MCE calls to stop all violation against the historical and current status of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The MCE affirms that the violations against the Palestinians and their holy sites are real forms of terrorism and prohibited according to all international laws, norms, and conventions. Continuing this terrorism will stymie all means to peace and spark religious wars, which may bring the whole region to ruins, the MCE warns. Accordingly, the international community, organizations, and bodies shall treat fairly with this case and confirm the right of Palestinians to establish their independent country, with Jerusalem as its capital.
The MCE hails the Palestinian people's steadfastness and deeply appreciates their heroic struggle and wisdom in dealing with the Zionist violations and their insistence that forced the occupation to refrain from taking further provocative actions. The courage, unity, and solidarity shown by the Palestinian men, women, children, aged, and Al-Aqsa resident protectors, especially the people of Jerusalem, inspire us with a remarkable example of perseverance, determination, defiance, and refusal to waive the unconditional right to pray in Al-Aqsa Mosque. Certainly, they foiled the occupation plan to control Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The MCE announces its support and participation in the International Conference about Jerusalem held by Al-Azhar in September and calls all concerned institutions, organizations, and bodies to take part in the event, stressing that the conference will discuss some crucial decisions about Jerusalem, the foremost Muslim cause. Meanwhile, it calls the Arab and Muslim peoples to work jointly in support of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa mosque. The Muslim council of Elders forewarns against some regional calls, seeking to exploit the recent situation in Jerusalem in order to organize protests during Hajj. It also stresses that such calls reflect tendentious and sectarian purposes with a view to interrupting the rites of Hajj. The council points out that advocating Al-Aqsa mosque is not by protests in pilgrimage, but by supporting the resistance of Palestinians against the Zionist terrorism.