An emergency session of the Al-Azhar Supreme Council of Senior Scholars was held earlier today, chaired by the Grand Imam, Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb Shaykh al-Azhar, to consider the American decision declaring Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The Council has stated that it categorically rejects the unfair decision of the American administration that has no historical or legal authority, and stresses the earlier announcement by the Grand Imam Shaykh al-Azhar who rejected this decision and also to meet with the US Vice President Mike Pence.The Council further appreciates the decision of the Egyptian Orthodox Coptic Church which holds the same position.
The Council called upon all governments and Arab and Islamic organizations to carry out their duty towards Jerusalem and Palestine and to take all necessary political and legal action. The Council commends the positions of all free states and responsible governments in the world that have rejected the American decision, foremost among which is the position of the European Union. The Council warned against attempts to normalize relations with the Israeli entity, thereby legitimising the occupation, before withdrawing from the occupied Arab territories and the formation of an independent Palestinian State, with al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital.
The Council has urged monitoring of the situation and ongoing developments, and is making preparations to convene an international conference on al-Quds (Jerusalem) to be held on 17 and 18 January in cooperation with the Council of Muslim Elders.
Present at the meeting were members of the Supreme Council of Senior Scholars including Shaykh Dr Ali Jumu’ah, Shaykh Dr Nasr Farid Wasil, Shaykh Dr Ahmad Umar Hashim, Shaykh Dr Hamdi Zaqzuq, Shaykh Dr Hasan Shafi’i, Shaykh Dr Abdul Fadeel al-Qawsi, and others.
