LAHORE: Muslim and Christian leaders expressed their solidarity with Palestinians and denounced US President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, which has since sparked protests and clashes.
In a meeting held at the Pak-Arab Society, the leaders said that Trump’s announcement, a move that drew global condemnation and triggered days of unrest in the Palestinian territories, was not only against the international consensus but was against moral and religious values and breach of international law and at risk for peace.
The meeting was attended by religious leaders, including Maulana Shakeelur Rehman Nasir, Peace and Harmony Network secretary general Javed William, Allama Makhdoom Asim, Pastor Dr Majeed Able, Mufti Syed Ashiq Hussain, Pastor Amjad Niamat, Allama Abdul Rab Amjad, Allama Syed Mehdi Hassan, Father Francis Nadeem, Hafiz Samiullah and other prominent leaders.
The participants of the meeting expressed their grave concerns over the move and said that Trump’s decision had angered the entire Muslim world and had sabotaged world efforts for peace in the Middle East. They pointed out that the controversial decision undermines efforts to bring about peace, deepens tension and would further spark anger that will threaten to push the Middle East to the edge of the abyss of violence, chaos and bloodshed.
They called the Trump decision inappropriate and without consideration for the feelings of millions of people. They said that a negotiated solution between the Palestinians and Israelis can only bring about stable and lasting peace, and guarantee the peaceful coexistence within the internationally recognized border limits.
The American president also ordered the US Embassy to be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The decision may strip the US of its role as a sponsor and broker in the Mideast peace process. The status of Jerusalem, home to sites holy to Muslims, Jews and Christians, is one of the core issues in the perennial Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
After occupying the city’s eastern part in the 1967 War, Israel annexed the territory, and proclaimed it as its ‘eternal, undivided capital.’ However, the Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. “We call upon everyone to recognize Palestine as a state and East Jerusalem as its capital,” the Palestinian government announced.
Published in Daily Times, December 14th 2017.
