Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Participants of an international seminar at International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) rejected the US stance on the issue of Al-Quds saying that the decision by President Trump was illegal, unacceptable and against the resolutions of United Nations.

The seminar titled “Al-Quds, its significance, history and role of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the resolution of Palestinian conflict” was held here at Faisal Masjid campus of IIUI on Thursday, week after US President Donald Trump declared Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Ambassador of Palestine, Walid A.M. Abu Ali , Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Nawaf Al-Malki including Ambassadors of Egypt, Yemen, Indonesia and political figures, Senator Raja Zafar ul Haq, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology, Qibla Ayaz, Senator Sehr Kamran, Maulana Tahir Ashrafi, Rector IIUI Dr. Masoom Yasinzai and President IIUI, Dr. Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh all condemned the US decision on Al-Quds and termed it as an unacceptable action.

Speakers said that unequivocal public, moral, and political support of the Palestinian nation will continue and announced Jerusalem as capital of Palestine.

Palestinian envoy, Walid AM Abu Ali said that announcement by US President to move the US embassy to Jerusalem was an action which was totally illegal. He thanked the Muslim world for the solidarity with Palestine and said that it was not only about Palestine but the whole Muslim world was hurt on this move. He also hailed KSA for active role in Palestine cause and said that still there were thousands of people of his country who were staying at Kingdom just like their own land. Walid Ali also appreciated IIUI for its role in voicing concern over unacceptable US decision. He also called on the UN to end the Israeli occupation.

Nawaf Ahmad Al-Maliki, The KSA envoy voices serious concerns over US decision and said that it was against UN resolutions. He reiterated his resolve that his country would continue support of Palestine cause until people of the land get a sovereign state free of Israeli occupation. He hailed IIUI for bringing all the diplomats, political quarters to bring on platform to devise a policy to deal with the unacceptable move of US.

Leader of the House, Senator, Raja Zafar ul Haq called for stoppage of illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine saying that the occupation would have to end. He said Palestinians have strong will and devotion to cause and that was the reason they were even fighting the occupiers being weaponless. He also lauded KSA for positive role in resolution of Palestine cause. Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed called upon the Muslim world to come out of the game of words and devise an action plan to address the atrocities happening on the land of Palestine. He said that soon defense committee of senate would visit the land of Palestine and will record the protest against illegal occupation and discriminatory decision of US. Maulana Tahir Ashrafi said that American announcement was akin to terrorism and few elements want to divide the Muslims which is a lethal plan. He added that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have voiced concerns openly against the US contradictory decision and both states were on the same page in this regard.

Qibla Ayaz said the President Trump annoyed the Muslim world and now debate against his discriminatory, unacceptable decision had reached in the US parliament and various western countries. Dr. Masoom stressed upon media and teaching fraternity of Muslim world to sensitize use about the importance of Palestine cause and added that higher education sector should play role in addressing the issue. President IIUI Dr Ahmed Yousif Al-Darwieesh said that Palestine issue was not a political one but it was a religious issue and recent US decision has stunned the world as it had nothing to do with the attributes of justice and impartiality and peace. He said Pakistan and KSA have both strongly condemned the move and this must be revisited. On the occasion, teachers of different countries at IIUI and Pakistani faculty presented papers on the issue.

Published in Daily Times, December 15^th 2017.