HM King Mohammed VI, Chairman of Al Quds Committee, sent a message to Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres.

HM the King, Chairman of Al Quds Committee, Sends Message to UN Secretary-General, Full Text

 6December 2017

Here follows the full text of the message:

“Praise be to God

May peace and blessings be upon The Prophet, His Kith and Kin

His Excellency António Guterres,

Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization

Dear Mr. Secretary-General,

Last July, I wrote to you in my capacity as Chairman of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Al-Quds Committee regarding the steps taken by Israel in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, in an attempt to impose a new fait accompli which flies in the face of all relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.

Allow me to convey to you today, with the same conviction and sincerity, my concerns regarding the persistent news of the US Administration’s intention to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to transfer the Embassy of the United States of America there.

Infringement of the internationally recognized legal and historical status of Jerusalem means one runs the risk of hurling the issue into the quagmire of religious and ideological conflict. It would also frustrate international efforts aimed at bringing about an atmosphere conducive to a resumption of peace negotiations. Such a decision would ultimately lead to increased strife and tension and undermine all opportunities for peace, not to mention fuel violence and extremism.

My vision and that of all peace-lovers and peace-advocates around the world is based on safeguarding the status of Jerusalem as a city of peace and tolerance – one that is open to the followers of all revealed religions; in effect, a model of coexistence and of living together.

Jerusalem is a question that concerns the Palestinians – since it is part of their occupied land – as much as it does the Arab and Muslim world, given the fact that it is home to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, the First of the Two Qiblas and the Third Holiest Mosque. In fact, it is a just cause for all peace-loving people since the city stands as a symbol for tolerance and inter-faith coexistence.

I should like to say how much I value your earnest efforts to promote peace and security in the Middle East and I do hope that you will intercede with the US Administration to convince them to refrain from taking any action concerning the city of Jerusalem, given the serious implications that might entail for the future of peace and security in the region.

Yours sincerely”.