London Jerusalem conference reiterates Muslim spiritual attachment to the Holy City

The Jerusalem conference which took place on Friday 27 January in London, organised by Friends of Al-Aqsa, sent out a resounding message that no Arab or Palestinian leader can negotiate the status of Jerusalem.

Held in the wake of Donald Trump’s disastrous intervention on the status of Jerusalem, wholly rejected by the international community at the UN General Assembly, and a 3,000 strong petition which reiterated the centrality of Al-Aqsa to Muslims around the world; the conference was a means of reasserting Muslim attachment to the city and Al-Aqsa.

The conference was addressed by leading scholars including the head of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind Maulana Mehmood Madani, the General-Secretary of Jamiatul Ulama South Africa Shaykh Ebrahim Bham, Shaykh Abu Bakr from Nigeria and Emeritus Grand Mufti of Bosnia Mustafa Ceric. Speakers from the UK included Salma Yakub, Ajmal Masroor and Shaykh Zahir Mahmood.

Chair of Friends of Al-Aqsa Ismail Patel said “the conference on the religious importance of Jerusalem has been arranged to send a message that Jerusalem carves a special place in the hearts and minds of Muslims and reinforcing that it is not something that can be undermined or negotiated away by any Arab or Palestinian leader.”

Read: Why America’s declaration on Jerusalem is wrong

Statements from the conference:

Mufti Ceric read an open letter to Israel. He reminded the Jewish community of the historical cooperation between Muslims and Jews including in Bosnia where Muslims protected Jews from the Nazis. He said he was saddened to see the aggression from Israel against Palestinians.

Shaykh Bham mentioned the reverence of all the prophets to Muslims and argued for a continuation of Palestinian custodianship of Jerusalem.

Shaykh Madani emphasised the spiritual importance of Jerusalem and requested individuals invest their talents in helping end the occupation.

Shaykh Abu Bakr from Nigeria reminded everyone how Jerusalem has become an international issue which has united the global community.

All the speakers emphasised the importance of Jerusalem to Muslims, the illegitimacy of Israel’s occupation and the message that no American, Arab or Palestinian leader can negotiate away Jerusalem.

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