OIC Warns Israel Against Escalating Religious Conflict

Officials at the extraordinary OIC meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials at the extraordinary OIC meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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OIC Warns Israel Against Escalating Religious Conflict

Officials at the extraordinary OIC meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials at the extraordinary OIC meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) warned on Tuesday against any Israeli assault on the al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, including constant provocations and abuses and the daily attacks of Israeli occupation authority. 

Following an extraordinary meeting in Jeddah, the OIC called on the UN Security Council "to assume its responsibilities" and to stop the dangerous Israeli escalation in East Jerusalem. 

At the request of Palestinian authorities and Jordan, the OIC's Executive Committee held the extraordinary open-ended meeting to examine the continued Israeli violations at the al-Aqsa Mosque. 

The statement condemned in the strongest terms the storming of the al-Aqsa Mosque on January 3 by a minister in "the Israeli colonial occupation cabinet, who is known for his extremism." 

The OIC deemed minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit as a "serious provocation” against Muslims across the world and “a blatant violation of international law, relevant UN resolutions, the existing historical and legal situation in Jerusalem and its sanctities and all relevant international norms."  

The statement underscored the centrality of the Palestinian cause for the entire Islamic nation, stressing the Arab and Islamic identity of East Jerusalem, the capital of Palestine. 

The meeting lauded the countries that rejected and condemned the provocative and aggressive Israeli incursions into the holy al-Aqsa Mosque, calling for sanctions against Ven-Gvir for violating the mosque's sanctity.  

Moreover, the OIC reaffirmed that al-Haram al-Sharif is an exclusive place of worship for Muslims that is protected by international law. 

It stressed the central role of the al-Quds Committee, under the leadership of Morocco's King Mohamed VI, in confronting the severe measures taken by the Israeli authorities. 

The statement reiterated the importance of the historical Hashemite Custodianship over Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian sanctities in protecting them, their identity, and their existing historical and legal situation.  

It urged international governmental organizations to fully adhere to the legal and historical status quo of Jerusalem. 



Saudi FM Arrives in Brazil to Participate in BRICS Summit

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - SPA
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Saudi FM Arrives in Brazil to Participate in BRICS Summit

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - SPA

On behalf of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived on Monday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to lead the Kingdom’s delegation in the 17th BRICS Summit 2025, as an invited country to join the BRICS group.

Prince Faisal will participate in the second day of the summit, which will be attended by partner countries and guest countries invited by the presidency, as well as international organizations, according to SPA.

The discussions will focus on global development efforts, including climate issues and the fight against pandemics and diseases.