JEDDAH — The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly denounced the Israeli occupation authority's irresponsible move in opening a tunnel, called "the Pilgrimage Road" beneath Silwan village, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The pan-Islamic organization, which groups 57 Muslim countries, considered the Israeli practices, which seek to alter the historic and legal status of Jerusalem, as a blatant violation of international laws and the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy. The OIC reiterated that East Jerusalem, the capital of Palestine, forms an integral part of the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, and it must have its Arab and Islamic-Christian identity and cultural heritage duly safeguarded and its sacred sites must be kept intact and inviolable. In a related development, the OIC voiced concern over the rise in incidents of intimidation, anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate speech circulated by certain groups in the island nation of Sri Lanka. The organization has been monitoring closely the situation of Muslims in Sri Lanka, the OIC said in a statement on Wednesday. "In line with the final communiqué of the 14th Islamic Summit Conference held in Makkah on May 31, the OIC reiterates the call on the authorities in Sri Lanka to counter firmly the spread of rhetoric of hatred and intolerance, while ensuring the security and safety of the Muslim community in the country. Muslims represent an important and active community, which contributes positively to the cultural and economic life of Sri Lanka as a whole," the OIC said while reiterating its firm stance against terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations. "Terrorism has no religion and that no community should be held responsible for the actions of the extremists," it added. The OIC appreciated the recent efforts by the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to meet with the ambassadors of OIC countries in Colombo. "The organization encourages all political leaders in Sri Lanka to take proactive measures to promote dialogue, peace and harmony among all communities and prevent the stigmatization or marginalization of people based on ethnicity or religion," the statement added. Meanwhile, Secretary General of OIC Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen condemned in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist suicide bomb attack, which took place inside a military camp in Inates, Niger, on Monday, resulting in the death of 18 soldiers and wounding of several others. Describing the suicide attack as a criminal and repulsive act, Al-Othaimeen reaffirmed the OIC's support for and solidarity with the government and people of Niger in their determination to annihilate terrorist groups in the Sahel region. The OIC chief conveyed his sincere condolences to the families of victims as well as to the government and people of Niger, while wishing for a speedy recovery of the wounded. He also reaffirmed the OIC's principled position that vigorously denounces all acts of terrorism and violent extremism.
