OIC Chief condemns construction of a synagogue next to Al-Aqsa

Jeddah, October 14, SPA -- The Secretary General of the Organization
of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, has
considered actions undertaken by Israel to construct a synagogue on
an endowed Islamic land near the Al-Aqsa mosque an aggression against
the Masrah [Ascent to heaven] of Prophet Mohammed [Peace be upon
Him], and an aggression against the holy sites of the Islamic nation.


In a press statement issued here yesterday, he condemned Israel for
committing this criminal act, placing on Israeli authorities the
blame for the consequences of this blatant abusive act which
represents a flagrant violation of international law and the Geneva
Conventions that prohibit occupying nations from staging any
aggression against the holy shrines or the religious and historical
monuments in the territories they occupy.


Prof. Ihsanoglu conducted urgent contacts with a number of officials
across the world to discuss this heinous crime and sent messages to
both the Secretary General of the United Nations, the High
Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the French
Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Director General of UNESCO, to
take a stand against the brutal attacks perpetrated by Israel against
the blessed Al- Aqsa Mosque and other holy Muslim shrines in the city
of Al Quds.