CAIRO, September 20, 2011 (WAFA) - The Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) condemned the Israeli practices and excavations under Al-Aqsa Mosque and surrounding areas in East Jerusalem as breaking international law, at the end of its meeting in Cairo Monday night.

ISESCO stressed the gravity of remaining silent about the genuine Israeli threats to the architecture of Al-Aqsa Mosque and demanded that Israeli authorities immediately stop all archaeological excavations under the Dung Gate (al-Mograbi Gate) southeast of the Old City, as well as stop building a synagogue near Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Israeli measures, along with the Apartheid Wall and building the Museum of Tolerance on the land of Ma’man Allah historic Islamic cemetery, are a flagrant violation of international law, especially the Hague Convention of 1954 and the Fourth Geneva Convention, said ISESCO.

It called on the United Nations Security Council and the Quartet to immediately intervene and take urgent measures to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque. It also called on Israel to abide by international legitimacy resolutions regarding Jerusalem.

Moreover, ISESCO called on governmental institutions and civil society in the Islamic world to coordinate efforts to raise awareness of the threats to Al-Aqsa Mosque because of the Israeli excavations and the resulting consequences on regional and international relations.

R.Q./F.J.