SHAH ALAM – The Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM) has called for urgent international action to protect the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem amid growing concerns over developments in the occupied West Bank.
Its president, Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, said prolonged restrictions, the forced displacement of Palestinian residents and Israeli military pressure in Hebron could further threaten Muslim access to the sacred sites.
He said the situation must be viewed within the wider context of Israel’s prolonged military occupation and the growing risks facing Palestinian religious and historical heritage.
“Any attempt to impose exclusive control over the Ibrahimi Mosque, alter its religious identity or prevent Palestinian Muslims from worshipping there must be opposed,” he said in a statement today.
He said the international community should not wait until access to the mosque was completely restricted or its religious character fundamentally altered before taking action.
AL-AQSA MOSQUE ALSO AT RISK
Mohd Azmi said developments in Hebron had also raised concerns over the security and status of Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites and a central symbol of Palestinian identity.
He said any attempt to impose permanent control over Al-Aqsa, undermine its Islamic identity or alter its established historical and religious status could have far-reaching religious, humanitarian and international consequences.
However, he stressed that the current developments in Hebron did not conclusively prove the existence of a plan to seize or destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Instead, he said the international community must take preventive action before threats to the sacred site resulted in irreversible damage.
Meanwhile, MAPIM expressed concern over the impact of the Israeli military campaign in Hebron on the daily lives of Palestinians, including movement restrictions and reports of residents being forced to leave their homes.
He said the suffering of civilians should never be used as an instrument of domestic political competition, while any measures taken on security grounds must comply with international humanitarian law.
URGES MALAYSIA TO PUSH FOR URGENT ACTION
MAPIM has urged the United Nations (UN), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and governments committed to international law to take immediate and coordinated measures to protect Palestinian holy sites and cultural heritage.
The proposed measures include ensuring safe access for Muslim worshippers to the Ibrahimi Mosque and Al-Aqsa Mosque, ending unlawful restrictions and forced displacement of civilians, and strengthening international monitoring of threats to religious sites.
MAPIM also called for independent investigations into alleged violations of international law, with those responsible held accountable based on the available evidence and the relevant jurisdictions.
Mohd Azmi said OIC member states must strengthen coordinated diplomatic efforts, supported by legal expertise and international advocacy, rather than merely issuing statements of concern.
He also urged the Malaysian Government to raise the issue through the OIC, the UN and bilateral diplomatic channels to secure international guarantees for the protection of both mosques.
Malaysian civil society organisations, religious institutions, academics and humanitarian groups should also intensify advocacy efforts based on verified evidence and the principles of international law, he said.
“Protect Hebron, defend the Ibrahimi Mosque and safeguard Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“The protection of these sacred sites is inseparable from the defence of Palestinian dignity, religious freedom and the rule of international law,” he said.
MAPIM said preventive action must begin immediately to prevent further restrictions on Palestinian residents and continued threats to their sacred sites. – DETIK MALAYSIA
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