Final Declaration of the 10th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif Session), Fez, Morocco, 8-12 May 1979 [Excerpts]

FINAL DECLARATION OF THE 10^th ISLAMIC CONFERENCE OF FOREIGN MINISTERS (PALESTINE AND Al-QUDS Al-SHARIF SESSION), FEZ, MOROCCO, 8-12 MAY 1979 [EXCERPTS]

[Declaration on the status of Jerusalem: Judaization of the city and deterioration of its Islamic character]

FINAL DECLARATION

1. In accordance with the Resolution adopted by the Ninth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Dakar, (the Republic of Senegal) and in response to the kind invitation extended by the Kingdom of Morocco, the Tenth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers was held in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco from, 10- 14 Jumad Al-Thani 1399 H. (8-12 May 1979). […]

5. His Majesty King Hassan II of Morocco inaugurated the Conference with an inspiring speech which he started by paying tribute to the memory of Muslim martyrs foremost among whom was the late King Faisal Ben Abdul Aziz. […]

His Majesty reiterated what was uppermost in the hearts of all Muslims saying «We shall pray in Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) guided by our faith and strong will. Our weapon is not the rifle alone, but our firm, sincere and unflinching commitment to our principles.

His Majesty further said that the Palestinian people are in no need of custodians. They are a people capable of handling their own affairs, and instead of dissent and rhetoric we should agree on a minimum acceptable to all.

His Majesty concluded his speech by wishing the Conference success. […]

11. On the occasion of the Tenth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, the Conference decided that this session be devoted to Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem). […]

16. The Heads of Delegation delivered speeches in which they reviewed the current international situation, while focusing in particular on the problems of Al-Quds, (Jerusalem), Palestine and the Middle East. They condemned the Israeli acts aimed at the Judaization of Al-Quds (Jerusalem), and the obliteration of its Islamic character. They stressed their countries' full support to the Palestine people's just struggle to return to their homeland, to self-determination and to the establishment of their independent state on the land of their fathers and forefathers under the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization, their legitimate and sole representative. They also announced that the Palestinian question was the core of the Middle East issue, whose solution rested on allowing the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable rights and on Israel's withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem).

Consequently, they reiterated their conviction that the strengthening of solidarity among Islamic countries was the most appropriate method to cope with the different threats facing our Islamic Nation.

The Heads of Delegation also discussed the problems of Islamic communities, racial discrimination, as well as the means of strengthening cooperation and promoting integration among member states of the Islamic Conference in the various fields.

17. The Conference agreed that the year 1400 Hijra, corresponding to the year 1980 AD be considered Al-Quds Al-Sharif year (Holy Jerusalem Year).

18. As regards Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Committee, the Conference decided that it should be convened at Foreign Ministers' level and that His Majesty King Hassan II of Morocco be humbly requested to accept its chairmanship. The Committee would see to the implementation of a political and information program in non-Islamic countries, aimed at consolidating the Islamic Conference resolutions at the highest level with a view to preserving peace as well as the Arab and Islamic character of Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem). […]

POLITICAL AFFAIRS […]

- The Conference recalled the resolutions adopted by the United Nations and other International Organizations which call for the return of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) to Arab Islamic Sovereignty, bans any alterations which would change the Arab Islamic nature of the Holy City and considers any alteration null and void and illegal.

- The Conference condemned the continued annexation and Judaization measures and forcible seizure of land in Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) and the continued desecration of the Holy Aqsa and Al-Ibrahimi Mosques and other holy places in Palestine.

- The Conference reiterated the commitment of all Muslims to their sacred eternal right to Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) and affirmed the religious and spiritual significance to and strong attachment of Muslims to the first of the two Qiblas, the third of the Holy Mosques and the Masra of the Prophet (Allah's Peace and Blessing be upon Him).

- The Conference considered the liberation of the City of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) from Zionist racist colonialism, the recovery of Arab sovereignty thereon and the preservation of its former character, a collective Islamic responsibility and that no party should be permitted to adopt any position, measure or action concerning this Holy City in the absence of Islamic unanimity.

- The Conference called for the formation of national people’s committees to undertake the enlightenment of Muslims on the cause of Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem), provide support to Mujahideen and the Holy Jihad and look after the welfare of the families of martyrs and Palestinian Mujahideen.

- The Conference called on Member States to contact the countries which recognized the Zionist enclave to refrain from moving their diplomatic missions to Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as such a move would offend the feelings of all Muslims and constitute a violation of United Nations’ resolutions, and would also adversely affect the future of the Holy City and relations between the Islamic states and those countries.

- The Conference called for a political and information drive by Member States with a view to creating better awareness of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and Palestine question. The Conference also called for strict adherence to the total boycott of the Zionist enemy in the political, economic and cultural fields and for refraining from all other forms of cooperation with it.

- The Conference thanked all the friendly nations and international organizations and institutions supporting Palestinian, Arab and Muslim rights. It called on Member States of the Organization of African Unity and the Non-Aligned countries to take a stand in support of these rights.

- The Conference denounced the expansionist ambitions of the Zionist enclave in Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and its attempts to make it its capital and decided to convene a meeting of the Al-Quds’ (Jerusalem) Committee at the Foreign Minister's level, under the Chairmanship of His Majesty King Hassan II of Morocco. This Committee would implement a political and information program for the preservation of the Arab and Islamic Character of Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) and for its restoration to Arab and Muslim sovereignty.

- The Conference called on all Member States to contribute generously to the Al-Quds’ (Jerusalem) Fund in order to ensure the continuity of its sacred mission namely, to enhance the perseverance of the Palestinian people and enable them to resist the occupation and frustrate all annexation and Judaization measures. […]

Fez, 14 Jumad Al-Thani 1399 H. (12 May 1979).