‘Jerusalem: My Trust’ Forum was organized in the Turkish city of Istanbul to mark 50 years of the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque on June 5 1967.
The two-day Forum organized by ‘Jerusalem: My Trust’ and Irada International Youth Organization was attended by political and social figures from Jerusalem in addition to trainers and experts on Jerusalem and activists from 15 countries.
The Forum was held under the motto ‘A house Brings us Closer to Jerusalem: A Step towards Liberation’ included workshops and training sessions about the holy city’s conditions and how to stand in solidarity with it and the nature of the conflict with the Israeli occupation.
Following the inaugural speech of the Forum poems were recited and artistic performances were presented which highlighted the importance of Jerusalem for the Arab and Muslim nations. A gallery of photographs and paintings about Jerusalem was held too.
Liberation project
Wesam al-Uraibi the Director of ‘Jerusalem: My Trust’ Forum said in his opening speech that those who work for Jerusalem hold in their hearts the trust of liberating the city which increases their responsibilities in defending the city.
Sheikh Raed Salah the head of the Islamic Movement in 1948 Occupied Palestine noted in a recorded speech the priorities for the Muslim nation adding that working to liberate Jerusalem is on the top of these priorities.
Amer Wahab the head of Irada International Youth Organization said the Jerusalem forum has launched a campaign initiated by his organization to prioritize Jerusalem issue for Muslims all over the world.
Wahab an Algerian added that the idea has developed after that to have the forum serve as an independent establishment which has a clear structure general secretariat and an executive office in addition to a teamwork which is based in seven different countries where they carry out their Jerusalem-related activities.
‘Jerusalem: My Trust’ Forum defines itself as a youth international forum which seeks to ‘awaken the consciousness of decision-makers towards Jerusalem.” Wahab stressed that the forum seeks to be a home for all those interested in working for the issue of Jerusalem all over the world.
The forum is active in particular in Tunisia Algeria Sudan Morocco Lebanon and Jordan with the help of established teams in addition to being partially active in 23 Arab and Muslim countries such as Qatar Bahrain Saudi Arabia Chad Ivory Coast Malaysia and Indonesia.
The general secretariat of the forum has met on Friday in Istanbul to discuss the basic law of the forum its agendas and to establish teams in countries where members of the forum are active.
Nation’s responsibility
Badr Dauod Badr from Chad said his participation in the forum is because of the interest of Muslims around the world in the issue of Jerusalem. He noted that the forum has opened a window for him to know more about the situation in Jerusalem and the situation of Palestinians there so that he could convey this situation to his nationals.
He stressed that the forum has provided a good groundwork to discuss ideas that contribute to liberating Jerusalem. He added that this would only happen when the whole Muslim nation stand under one flag.
Amal Khalifa the head of the Muslim women coalition to support Palestine and Jerusalem said the interest of the Muslim nation especially youths in the issue of Jerusalem is an indicator that shows that the Muslim nation is moving in the right direction.
Khalifa who delivered a lecture at the forum referred to the massive Israeli efforts to Judaize Jerusalem and to take over al-Aqsa Mosque and ban Muslims from their third holiest shrine.
The Egyptian activist noted that these huge challenges increase the responsibilities on the shoulders of the Muslim nation so as to double its efforts to liberate Jerusalem.
She concluded that the first stage in the path to liberate Jerusalem starts with studying tools used by the Israeli occupation to implement its plans in the holy city. She noted that participants in the forum gained a good knowledge and determination that help them carry out their responsibilities towards Jerusalem.
