The Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have slammed the Israeli latest bill to ban Adhan (calling for Muslim prayers in occuped territories).
The Arab League strongly condemned on Wednesday the Israeli bill to prevent mosques from using loudspeakers to announce prayer times in occupied Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Information Center.
Deputy Secretary General of Arab League Ambassador Ahmad Bin Helli considered, in a press conference held Wednesday, the Israeli Adhan ban bill as “a serious provocation and an unacceptable escalation.”
He warned of such “Israeli unjustified decision which came in total provocation to Muslims all over the world.”
Adhan Ban bill mainly threatens freedom of worship, Bin Helli pointed out.
OIC condemns Israeli Adhan ban
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned a bill by the Israeli occupation government aimed at legitimizing colonial settlement areas in the occupied Palestinian territories including Al-Quds Al-Shareef, and stated that these illegitimate measures undertaken by Israel with a view to consolidating its occupation and colonial settlement are null and void by virtue of international law and relevant UN resolutions, reported Bahraini News Agency.
The OIC also strongly condemned the Israeli escalation represented by the endorsement of a bill banning the adhan (call for prayer) in the mosques in the occupied city of Al-Quds and its suburbs, underscoring that these serious measures are part of Israel’s racist practices and continued aggressions on Islamic holy sites.
These practices also constitute a grave violation of the freedom of worship and of the inviolability of sacred sites, and a violation of the international humanitarian law. The OIC warned against the persistence of such Israeli racist practices and aggressions which could fuel religious conflict, extremism and violence in the region. It also called on the international community, particularly the Security Council, to assume its responsibility and put an end to these repeated serious Israeli violations against sacred places.
Israeli PM backs bill to limit Adhan
While the draft bill applies to all houses of worship, it is seen as specifically targeting mosques.
Israel’s population is roughly 17.5 per cent Arab, most of them Muslim, and they accuse the Jewish majority of badly discriminating against them.
East Jerusalem is also mainly Palestinian and traditional calls to prayer by muezzins through PA systems can be heard in the city.
The Israel Democracy Institute, a non-partisan think tank, has spoken out against the proposal.
Israel banned Adhan for a limited period at Ibrahimi Mosque in May, 2015
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) banned in May, 2015, the Adhan on loudspeakers at the Ibrahimi Mosque in Israel’s Hebron city for a definite period of time, claiming that it bothered Jewish settlers, reported The News Trbe. Human rights activists said the ban was as an assault on the Islam and on freedom of worship. They further added that Israeli occupation had crossed all red lines in its infringement of international decrees and human rights.
