NCCM Condemns Egregious Assault by Israel on Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during Ramadan

The National Council of Canadian Muslims Demands that Attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque Must be Denounced by Canada in No Uncertain Terms

(Ottawa – May 8, 2021) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) today forcefully denounces the attack carried out Friday night by Israeli forces on the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem as thousands of Palestinian worshippers participated in evening prayers during Ramadan.

Yesterday, the United Nations reaffirmed that international humanitarian law applied in occupied East Jerusalem and that Israel’s actions to evict and dispossess Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah could amount to war crimes.

The videos and photos emerging from Jerusalem are absolutely clear. With impunity, Israeli forces violated the internationally recognized sanctity of the Al Aqsa Mosque, one of the most sacred sites for Muslims worldwide. They attacked Palestinian worshippers as they prayed peacefully.

« This egregious assault during Ramadan by Israeli forces on one of the most inviolable sites for Muslims, and their flagrant violation of the human rights of Palestinians under international law, must be categorically condemned, » said Mustafa Farooq, CEO of NCCM.

« We call on the Government of Canada to denounce in no uncertain terms Israel’s deliberate attack on the Al Aqsa Mosque and its ongoing campaign to expand illegal settlements in, and evict and dispossess Palestinians from, occupied East Jerusalem. While we appreciate Foreign Affairs Minister Garneau’s statement, this is not a ‘both sides’ issue. Unequivocal condemnation is required. »

We further thank various members of the Liberal caucus who have spoken up, as well as NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh for a strong and unequivocal message.

The NCCM is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit organization that is a leading voice for civic engagement and the promotion of human rights.

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