This is the first time in the history of Palestine that the Islamic community echoes with the oppressed people of the country. Muslims irrespective of factions and schools of thought are protesting against the detestable decision under which Jerusalem has been recognised capital of the Jewish state. However the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the largest association of Muslim countries with 57 members has gathered in Istanbul, Turkey.
Turkey’s president Recep Tayyeb Erdogan has played major role in organising the conference. Though there is no hope that the conference will force US president to change the decision, but OIC has taken a bold decision and declared East Jerusalem as capital of Palestine. This announcement has proved that Palestinian struggle will no longer remain a nationality issue and this has become the issue of entire Muslim world. Muslims around the world are emotionally associated with Palestine, as the war has now turned into a fight between Islam and Zionism.
Though some Muslim countries in devotion of America avoid raising voice against Israel but general Muslims across the globe hate tyrannous rulers of Israel and they reiterate that they would never abandon Jerusalem as it is their first Qibla. Masjid Aqsa of the city has the honour of being mentioned in the Quran where Prophet (pbuh) in the night of Meraj was taken from Masjid Al-Haram to Masjid Aqsa. How can Muslims abandon Masjid which has been mentioned in the Quran?
The OIC conference will give the message loud and clear that America and Israel should not think that they can do anything they want, in the Middle East and the Muslims will remain silent. It is likely that the Turkey may have to play leadership role in the Muslim world’s politics. There is no better platform to untie Muslim community than Masjid-e-Aqsa. But the foundation of Islamic alliance will be reinforced only when Turkey closes down Israeli embassy and Egypt and Jordan also sever diplomatic ties with Israel. All the Muslim countries should arm Hamas and Hezbollah because these two forces can defeat Israel. The best thing would have been that Saudi Arab with its army of 34 Muslim countries would have entered into the field to fight Israeli terrorism.