The International Union of Muslim Scholars
The IUMS Slams and condemns Netanyahu’s outrageous plans to turn the West Bank into a Jewish territory, warns the accelerating rate of Israeli settlement in Jerusalem, urges the Arab and Muslim world to adopt its responsibility toward Jerusalem and Palestine, and calls Fatah and Hamas to resume the project of national unity and reconciliation.
All praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad, God’s mercy to the worlds, and upon his brothers the messengers and prophets, and those who follow them to the day of judgment.
The IUMS has followed with great concern the developments on all of the blessed territories of Palestine, from the Al-Aqsa Mosque, to Jerusalem, to the West Bank and Gaza, particularly the outrageous project by Netanyahu to turn the West Bank into a Jewish territory and the targeting of Jerusalem through escalations of settlement building activity, and attempting to change the historic and civilisational features of Jerusalem. Moreover, and according to some officials, these expansions have been carried out in the absence of any limitation or red lines.
The Union has also followed with worry the attacks carried out by land and air on Gaza Strip that resulted in several deaths and injuries. Facing this dangerous situation, the IUMS declares the following:
First: the IUMS slams and condemns Netanyahu’s dangerous project aimed at turning the West Bank into a Jewish territory which entails giving free reign to Zionists in this blessed land, and expelling its lawful inhabitants to be replaced by settlers who came from across the globe. Such project is highly dangerous and mandates a stand by the Arab and Muslim world against it with all their power.
Second: the IUMS vehemently warns Zionists against the continuation of settlement escalation in Jerusalem that would only make the people of Jerusalem, and behind them all the Arab and Muslim world, more resolute in holding on to Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The IUMS derives basis for such warning from the deep rooted sentiment in the hearts of Muslims toward their blessed sanctities, and willingness to sacrifice their souls and money for their sake.
Third: the IUMS calls the leaders of the Arab and Muslim nation to take up their responsibility concerning this dangerous Netanyahu project and the settlement taking place in Jerusalem, and work on employing all possible means to stop the Zionist enemy and dissuade it from such hateful expansion. The IUMS also urges those leaders to break the siege on Gaza Strip and work on supporting Gazan people with money, equipment and weapons.
Fourth: the IUMS urges the UN to stand by the Palestinian right, the Palestinian lands, and respect their former UN resolutions stipulating that Palestinian lands including the West Bank are occupied territories. The Union also calls the UN for intervention to end this settlement and continued aggression on the Gaza Strip and urges the international organization to go beyond the language of condemnation that would be to no avail with this usurping Zionist entity and take practical, firm measures toward it instead.
Fifth: the IUMS strongly urges the Fatah and Hamas organizations to resume the project of national unity and reconciliation and warns that the failure of this project would lead to fragmenting the Palestinian territories and encourage enemies with greedy ambitions in these lands. Allah Almighty has ordained unity upon us and told us to "hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves” (Quran 3: 103) and warned us the outcome of split and disagreement telling us "and do not fall into disputes, lest you lose heart and your power depart” (Quran 8:46).
Doha: 8 Zuhadjh 1433 e
Corresponding to: 10/24/2012
Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi Dr. Ali Al-Qaradaghi
IUMs President IUMS Secretary General