CAIRO, January 17, 2018 (WAFA) – Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed al-Tayyib Wednesday called on the arab and Muslim world to declare 2018 as the "year of Jerusalem" during a speech at Al-Azhar International Conference in Support of Jerusalem.

Al-Tayyib said the conference, which is being held in Cairo on January 17 – 18, aims to emphasize the need to stand up to the “barbaric Zionist absurdity of the 21st century”, which is supported by international policies and urged the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to support Jerusalem through organizing cultural and media activities to raise awareness about the holy city.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League said in his speech at the conference that Jerusalem is not just a geographical component of the land, but a part of the emotional identity of every Arab.

He condemned US President Donald Trump’s decision to transfer the US Embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognize the city as the capital of Israel.

"Peace will be achieved only when East Jerusalem is freed and sovereign... The Arab ministers approved a plan on December 9 of last year to confront the US decision," he said.

Aboul Gheit praised the people of Jerusalem and their steadfastness against the brutal occupation and its measures, pointing out that Israel has a systematic plan to marginalize the Arab presence in the city.

He called for mobilizing financial aid to support Jerusalem and its people through a systematic action plan to encourage their presence and strengthen their struggle against Israel’s attempts.

The two-day conference is sponsored by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and organized by Al-Azhar, the highest institution of Sunni Islamic authority.

The conference, which brings together renowned Muslim and Christian clerics and political figures from 86 countries, aspires to raise awareness about Jerusalem in light of the recent developments.

A.D./M.H.