Organization of Islamic Cooperation slams Israeli assault on al-Aqsa Mosque

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned the recent Israeli assault on the the al-Aqsa Mosque in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).

OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said that the body is determined to raise the issue of the Israeli aggressions against the al-Aqsa Mosque at the United Nations General Assembly, Turkey’s Anadolu news agency reported on Thursday.

On September 18, Israeli forces stormed the mosque compound, firing teargas at Palestinian worshippers. Clashes reportedly broke out between the Israeli troops and the Palestinians after they attempted to prevent the worshippers, including women and children, from entering the mosque.

Ihsanoglu also stated that the Islamic world will not remain silent over the Tel Aviv regime’s assaults on the mosque for a long time, calling on the UNESCO, UN Security Council and the OIC member states to fulfill their responsibilities in preserving international peace and security.

The international community should confront the Israeli regime and prevent such incidents from happening again, said the OIC head.

In similar incidents earlier this month, the Israeli military fired stun grenades at Palestinian protesters inside the al-Aqsa compound after Friday Prayers, arresting 15 of them.

The al-Aqsa compound, which lies in Old City of al-Quds, is a flashpoint because of its significance to both Muslims and Jews. The compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism. It is Islam’s third-holiest site after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Jews are not allowed to pray inside the compound.